Fireworks festivities across the United States face heightened wildfire danger this Independence Day (4 July), as much of the country endures its driest conditions in years and its worst start to a wildfire season in over a decade. More than 40% of the southeastern US remains in severe drought, while large parts of the West and Great Plains are experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, prompting some communities — including several in Colorado, where wildfires were already forcing evacuations — to ban fireworks or replace professional shows with drone displays. With 97% of fires threatening residential areas historically ignited by human activity, and July 4 consistently the single biggest day for human-caused fires in the US, authorities are urging the public to leave pyrotechnics to professionals.