Dry heat will be the rule across Illinois July 4th and many towns have decided it's too big a risk to hold fireworks displays that are usually a highlight of the holiday.

Towns from Paris in southeastern Illinois to Freeport near the Wisconsin border have called off fireworks. Local officials have said they're worried a stray spark could ignite dry grass or something else and lead to a dangerous fire.

In Plainfield just outside Joliet, Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said as the show was being called off last week that the field that would have hosted the event lacks water that would allow firefighters to quickly stop a fire.

Freeport has rescheduled fireworks for Sept. 2 and some others have said they hope to reschedule displays when weather permits.