Fireworks Spark Small Fires Across Las Vegas on July 4

Independence Day celebrations in the Las Vegas Valley were marred by at least two small fires late Thursday and early Friday after consumer fireworks ignited dry vegetation, according to video recorded by local television crews and residents. One clip captured by KTNV showed a brushfire breaking out in a neighborhood south of the Strip, while separate footage sent to FOX5 depicted a tree burning as fireworks lit up the sky nearby. The blazes were quickly contained and no casualties had been reported as of early Friday morning, but the incidents underscored the heightened fire risk in the desert city’s triple-digit heat. Fire agencies have long warned that illegal aerial fireworks can spark fast-moving fires in the valley’s dry summer conditions. Ahead of the holiday, local health officials cautioned residents to stay hydrated and handle pyrotechnics carefully, noting that burn centers at Sunrise Hospital and University Medical Center each expect to treat about 10–20 patients over the July 4 period. Authorities said they would continue patrols and enforcement through the weekend.