Fireworks, heat and drought put this July 4 at high risk for wildfires - UPI.com

Fireworks explode in the air over the National Mall at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 15 in Washington, D.C. Pool photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Across the United States, the sky will be erupting with fireworks on July 4, 2026, and the days around it as America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. Many cities will be hosting spectacular fireworks shows.

But not everyone will be leaving the pyrotechnics to the professionals, so let's talk about the risk of fireworks starting fires, including dangerous wildfires.

Fireworks, from bottle rockets to Roman candles, start a lot of fires in the U.S. every year -- 32,000 of them in 2023 alone. And each year there is a clear spike in human-caused fires on July 4.

In 2026, much of the U.S. has been very dry and in moderate to severe drought. That means many areas are at high risk for fires igniting and spreading.