FOURTH OF JULY

Fireworks Canceled Across U.S.

Fear of fires, tight budgets, and in one case, threat to bald eagles.

It’s tough times for fireworks this year. Fireworks for July 4 have been canceled across the country due to fear of fires and tight budgets—and in one case, worries over bald eagles. From Colorado to Indiana, various areas have decided to forgo the Independence Day tradition as the exceedingly dry summer has many concerned about wildfires—especially as Colorado has seen one of its worst ever. Other communities have been forced to cut back this year due to tight budgets. In upstate New York, Narrowsburg officials canceled the annual show due to worries over harming the endangered bald eagle, the nation’s symbol. All the canceled shows have taken their toll on the fireworks industry, which is in its biggest recession since the Vietnam War.