By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As North Carolinians prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th Anniversary, state and local officials have a clear holiday message: “In the name of safety, leave the fireworks to the pros!”
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This year, Raleigh’s official 4th of July Fireworks Celebration returns to the aptly named Big Field at Dorthea Dix Park following the big birthday bash in 2025 held outside Lenovo Center.
And now, with much of the state still dealing with drought conditions—and some communities keeping local outdoor burn bans in place—officials say one stray firework spark could ignite more than holiday memories.
“Of course, we’re excited about celebrating our birth of our country!” State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said. He also warned people not to light up fireworks in their own neighborhoods as North Carolina celebrates Independence Day.
“We just want to caution everybody, and we want them to celebrate responsibly,” Taylor added. For anyone thinking about buying aerial fireworks, the warning isn’t just about safety—it’s also about the law.
Any firework that flies, explodes or spins—like firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and aerial shells—is illegal to fire off or even possess in the Tarheel State.
“Of course we would say, please go to a local fireworks display and not use illegal fireworks in North Carolina,” Taylor continued, “But we know that they’ll do that. But we want to caution because they are very dangerous. And we’re concerned because of the severe drought here in North Carolina.”
If you’re heading to the beach for the holiday, the Fire Marshal said that Brunswick County is currently under a burn ban.
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An average of 192 North Carolinians are treated in emergency departments each year for fireworks-related injuries. Still, a lot more people get injured than arrested.
“People get injured every year. E.R. visits go up,” Taylor said.
The criminal charge for illegal fireworks is possession of pyrotechnics, a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.
If those fireworks spark a wildfire or damage someone else’s property, the consequences can become much more costly—including costing you more money, health, and possibly a life.
According to North Carolina courts, fewer people faced charges last year than in recent years past.
Taylor also said that more responders will be working this holiday weekend. He said, “I want to thank our first responders who serve each and every day, protect us, and keep us safe.”
Raleigh police, while not disclosing any security measures—including whether officers would be cracking down more on lawbreakers because of the drought—stress that “legal fireworks should only be handled by responsible adults.”
The Office of State Fire Marshal encourages residents to:
- Attend professional fireworks displays in their community.
- Follow local burn bans and fire safety advisories.
- Keep children away from all fireworks, including sparklers.
- Have a plan to report fires immediately by calling 911.
- Celebrate responsibly and be mindful of neighbors, pets, and first responders.
The pyrotechnic pros are set to fire off the fireworks at Dix Park’s “Big Field” starting at 9:30 p.m. this Saturday.
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