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.
Dry start to the year
In the first half of the year, the U.S. has already experienced more wildfires than in the first half of any of the previous 10 years, which has included some of the country’s worst fire years on record.
The southeastern U.S. had far-below-normal precipitation in early 2026, which led to extremely dry conditions that fueled wildfires in the spring. In mid-June, half the region was still in severe to extreme drought.
In the West, a snow drought has put a pinch on water resources and left forests without the usual moisture they would get from a lingering snowpack.
Large parts of the West and Great Plains are in extreme or exceptional drought, including areas of Oklahoma, Nebraska and Utah, where wildfires in June forced entire communities to evacuate. And the national wildfire forecast shows above normal fire risk continuing into July in much of the U.S. West and Texas.
Wildland fire risk projections for July 2026. National Interagency Fire Center
At the same time, large parts of the U.S. West and Southeast are forecast to experience above-normal heat and dryness through early July. Heat waves significantly increase the risk of fire. A recent study found that 42% of all land burned in the West from 2001 to 2024 happened during or right after a heat wave.
Apopka, Orange County residents urged to celebrate safely
While Central Florida has received some recent rainfall, fire officials continue to urge caution as dry vegetation remains across parts of the region. Orange County has dealt with drought conditions and burn bans this year, and officials have warned that fireworks can ignite grass, brush, and wooded areas with a single stray ember. Even when professional fireworks displays are permitted, residents in Apopka and throughout Orange County are encouraged to avoid using consumer fireworks near homes, wooded lots, or dry fields, where a small spark can quickly spread into a brush fire. Fire officials recommend attending organized community fireworks shows instead of lighting fireworks at home, particularly if dry or breezy conditions persist heading into the holiday.
4th of July fireworks
In hot, dry conditions it doesn’t take much to start a fire. Dry vegetation – trees, shrubs and grasses – provides the fuel. A windy day can substantially raise the risk of a runaway fire. The spark often comes from human activities, whether a car, power line or someone lighting fireworks.
Between 1992 and 2015, humans started 97% of all fires that threatened homes in the wildland-urban interface, the areas where homes and cities overlap with wildlands.
Of all the days, July Fourth stands out for its exceptional number of human-caused fires. From 1992 to 2020, around 15,000 fires were started on this holiday. Even in the eastern U.S., where July falls outside of the peak fire season, Independence Day still sees about 400 more fires than other days that month.
The professionals’ advice
In many states and drought-plagued regions, commercial fireworks are banned for community safety, and not just because of the fire risk. Emergency rooms saw an estimated 9,700 fireworks-related injuries in 2023 – injuries to hands, faces, ears, and elsewhere – a third of them involving children.
The National Fire Protection Association encourages everyone to leave the fireworks to the professionals who are prepared to manage any wayward sparks. Public displays are cheaper for you, safer for everyone, and often far more spectacular.
Key Points
- Fireworks started approximately 32,000 fires in the United States during 2023, with Independence Day producing a significant spike in human-caused fires.
- Much of the country is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, increasing wildfire danger ahead of July Fourth celebrations.
- Heat waves, dry vegetation, and windy conditions can allow fireworks-related fires to spread rapidly.
- Fireworks also cause thousands of injuries each year, including many involving children.
- Fire safety experts recommend attending professionally managed fireworks displays rather than using consumer fireworks at home.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
