Drought woes in dry US West raise July 4 fireworks fears

Bobbie Uno displays photographs of burnt brushes outside her home Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Clearfield, Utah. July Fourth fire works are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease, but the megadrought gripping the West means the colorful sparklers and exploding bottle rockets could be seriously dangerous. They also carry risk, starting thousands of fires a year - including one that burned Uno's home on the holiday last year. "Within five seconds my house, from the bushes to the rooftop, it was burning," she said. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Ben Laws, manager of Pyro City fireworks stands in front of shelves of fireworks sold at his store near Cheyenne, Wyo., Tuesday, June 22, 2021. People from states with fireworks restrictions often travel to state-line stores to stock up for the July 4th holiday. (AP Photo/Mead Gruver)

A wildfire on Traverse Mountain threatens homes on June 28, 2020, in Lehi, Utah. Officials said fireworks caused the wildfire. July Fourth fireworks are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans, many of whom are aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease. But with a megadrought gripping the West and heightening fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials across the region are enacting bans, canceling displays or begging people to skip lighting them themselves. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News via AP)

A sign advertising fireworks is shown on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in American Fork, Utah. July Fourth fireworks are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans, many of whom are aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease. But with a megadrought gripping the West and heightening fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials across the region are enacting bans, canceling displays or begging people to be careful. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

A "Orem City Fireworks Restriction" sign is shown on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Orem, Utah. Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks. But with a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling displays, passing bans or begging for caution. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Boxes for fireworks are shown in fireworks vendors tent Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Sandy, Utah. Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks. But with a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling displays, passing bans or begging for caution. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Bobbie Uno displays photographs of fire damage to her home Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Clearfield, Utah. July Fourth fireworks are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease. They also carry risk, starting thousands of fires a year - including one that burned Uno's home on the holiday last year. "Within five seconds my house, from the bushes to the rooftop, it was burning," she said. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A "UTAH is TINDER" sign is placed on the side of a fireworks vendor tent Friday, June 25, 2021, in Centerville, Utah. Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks. But with a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling displays, passing bans or begging for caution. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A wildfire on Traverse Mountain threatens homes on June 28, 2020, in Lehi, Utah. Officials said fireworks caused the wildfire. With a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling for the Fourth of July fireworks displays, passing bans or begging for caution. Fireworks already have caused a few small wildfires as some parts of the American West experience their worst drought conditions in more than 100 years. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News via AP)

A burnt hillside caused by fireworks is shown Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Provo, Utah. July Fourth fireworks are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans, many of whom are aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease. But with a megadrought gripping the West and heightening fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials across the region are enacting bans, canceling displays or begging people to be careful. Fireworks have already caused a few small wildfires, including one started by a child in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Fireworks are shown in a fireworks vendor's tent Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Sandy, Utah. Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks. But with a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling displays, passing bans or begging for caution. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A box of fireworks is shown in a fireworks venders tent Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Sandy, Utah. July Fourth fireworks are a mainstay summer tradition for Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions ease, but the megadrought gripping the West means the colorful sparklers and exploding bottle rockets could be seriously dangerous. Some state and local leaders are banning them or pleading with people to skip lighting them at home this year. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)