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[h=4]California cities cancel fireworks amid extreme drought[/h]Extreme drought conditions that that can set off fires with even a small spark have prompted some California cities to cancel annual fireworks display.
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The city of Fairfield is closing three parks during the 4th of July weekend due to high fire danger. (Thursday, July 2, 2015)
A field in San Mateo, Calif. Nearly three-quarters of the state is in a extreme drought, raising the risk of brush fires and wildfires.(Photo: Laura Mandaro/USA TODAY)
SAN MATEO, Calif. — Extreme drought conditions that can set off fires with even a small spark have prompted some California cities to cancel annual fireworks displays.
The San Francisco Bay Area town of Cupertino, Calif. — home to Apple —canceled its annual display because of the "extreme drought circumstances" in the state. Using the high-school fields that usually host the show would require 100,000 gallons of water to protect the facility.
In the coastal town of Cambria, Calif., roughly midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the American Legion Post that puts on the display shelved its plans because of worries of fire risk in Cambria's nearby Monterey pine forest, according to a report in The Tribune News.
In Fairfield, Calif., near the state capital of Sacramento, the city closed parks for the Fourth of July because of fears that wind, parched conditions and individual fireworks would create a combustible mix in a state that's been fighting several fires caused by lightning strikes.
"It's starting to dry out and because we are a heavy, gusty, windy area, it tends to dry out the fuels a lot faster than other areas," said Fairfield Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Merodio.
USATODAY
Fourth of July: Firework displays in America's cities
Cities that had canceled fireworks were encouraging residents to celebrate with other July 4th activities, such as Cambria's messy pie-eating contest and Cupertino's pancake breakfast. There were parades and outdoor festivals going on through much of the state.
Luka Seideman of San Mateo, Calif., joins a parade in celebration of the Fourth of July.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Laura Mandaro/USA TODAY)
Fire fears have escalated since last year's celebrations. The fourth year of a drought has produced tinder-like conditions. More than 71% of the state is in an extreme drought and 47% is in exceptional drought, characterized by "shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies," according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.
In Eldorado, Calif., firefighters this week battled three grass fires that had started from lightning strikes.
According to Cal Fire, last year there were over 300 fires in the state sparked by fireworks. Fireworks approved by the state fire marshal are on sale in 300 communities in California.
"As we head into the fourth summer of a severe drought, it is more important than ever that everyone use an abundance of caution to avoid sparking a fire," said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of CAL FIRE, in a statement earlier this week.
Contributing: Emily Pritchard of KXTV-Sacramento
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