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Citing the extreme drought conditions, officials with the Austin Fire Department announced Thursday their decision to cancel the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Auditorium Shores.

AFD and the Travis County emergency services district have also suspended fireworks permitting processes, meaning that there will be no permits issued for public fireworks displays until further notice.

In a statement Thursday, Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr said, “We realize the Fourth of July holiday is approaching and we will all continue to monitor the situation; however, public safety and property protection must continue to be our top priority. We are in the middle of the worst drought cycle since 1917. The native junipers are dying and we’ve continued to have March-type winds. The long term climate forecast is for continued above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.”

Pflugerville, Oak Hill and Westlake have also canceled their public firework displays.