CHAMPAIGN – Drought that covers much of Illinois and this week’s heat wave are combining to steal some of the spark from the Fourth of July.

A handful of Illinois towns have called off public fireworks shows in fear they could start fires, and others are pondering a similar move. Some towns hope to reschedule fireworks shows once hot, dry weather eases.

As temperatures across much of the state reached the 90s and 100s again Friday, Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton said local officials in that small town near Joliet decided they’d rather disappoint city residents than risk fires.