Major travel was expected during the week of the Fourth of July holiday.
With Independence Day falling on a Thursday, some travelers will be lucky enough to take advantage of a four-day weekend and head out of town. Arizona drivers can stay updated on traffic conditions at az511.com .
With gas prices expecting to climb late in the holiday week — already hitting a $3.56 per gallon average earlier in the week — some Arizonans will celebrate the Fourth of July at home or take advantage of the many local events and offerings.
Independence Day celebrations are taking place in towns all over the state. Several cities are planning major fireworks celebrations, including Phoenix.
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Follow coverage throughout the Fourth of July holiday weekend from Republic reporters.
Fourth of July celebrations come after a report released by a law firm found that six Arizona cities were among the top 75 U.S. cities when it came to the most fatal drunken-driving crashes per capita between 2018 and 2022.
The report, put out by the Philadelphia law firm van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin and Lindheim, analyzed the top 300 U.S. cities by population and showed Tucson had the highest in Arizona at number 19 with 10.98 fatal crashes per 100,000 people with 43 of its 60 fatal crashes involving drivers with a BAC that was 0.15% or higher.
The other cities included:
Glendale at 27th with 9.92 fatal DUI crashes per 100,000 people.
Phoenix at 43rd with 8.45 fatal DUI crashes per 100,000 people.
Tempe at 56th with 7.53 fatal DUI crashes per 100,000 people.
Mesa at 66th with 7.02 fatal DUI crashes per 100,000 people.
Scottsdale at 68th with 7.00 fatal DUI crashes per 100,000 people.
Nationally, Odessa, Texas, took the number one spot with a whopping 27.46 fatal DUI collisions per 100,000 people, far exceeding San Bernardino, California, which was at number two with a rate of 18.15 fatal DUI collisions per 100,000 people.
Arizona law enforcement agencies are urging people to not drink and drive as they celebrate the holiday weekend and instead designate a driver or order a rideshare.
— Perry Vandell
The July Fourth holiday isn’t celebrated quietly, and that could turn the night into a nightmare for pets sensitive to the loud fireworks.
The Arizona Humane Society offered these tips to help soothe pets during the holiday.
First, make sure your dog or cat has current ID tags or updated microchips in case they are lost during the sound of fireworks, and keep pets indoors and distracted to avoid the chances of an escape. Keeping pets inside also helps them stay cool during an exceptionally hot Fourth of July, with pets at a higher risk of heat stroke. Some pets may feel safer wearing a ThunderShirt, which applies constant pressure to an animal's torso to help them feel safe and calm.
Pet owners should keep tabs on their pets at all times during the chaos of the Fourth. If you see a pet in distress, call Arizona Humane Society's Emergency Animal Medical Technician hotline at 602-997-7585, ext. 207.
— Meredith G. White
From Monday through Saturday, Mesa residents can report any illegal firework activity that they witness through the Mesa website, Mesa police announced. Once a complaint is submitted and verified through their 24/7 mailbox, officers will be dispatched to investigate the area.
In an effort to combat illegal fireworks, a group of dedicated Mesa police officers has been assigned to calls specifically related to fireworks in preparation for the holiday, the Police Department stated.
— Coleby Phillips
About 150 people from 45 countries became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Phoenix on Independence Day.
The ceremony, held at South Mountain Community College on Thursday morning, was presided over by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver, who administered the Oath of Allegiance and welcomed new citizens with a warming speech commending recipients for their new status.
"(I do it) every year that I have the opportunity," Silver told The Arizona Republic. "It's inspirational to me, out in the audience, to see the faces from all over the world, like no one else can see. And I get choked up because, I realize, this is the foundation of America."
— Laura Daniella Sepulveda
As temperatures continue to rise in the Valley and families make plans to beat the heat during the Fourth of July weekend, there are several precautions parents can take to keep their kids safe in the water.
As of May 31, five children between the ages of infancy and 5 drowned in Phoenix in 2024, according to data from the city; 18 children between infancy and 12 have had a near-drowning incident.
To prevent drowning, Phoenix recommends separating a pool from the house with a barrier, always supervising children near or in a water source, keeping lifesaving devices like a flotation device or pole near the pool and always taking the child with you if you leave the pool area.
More water safety tips include learning CPR, never swimming alone, never swimming under the influence of alcohol or medication and never swimming when there is thunder or lightning.
— Vivian Barrett
July 4 th barbecue mishap torches Peoria house; dogs still missing
One person was injured and a house was damaged after a barbecue malfunction led to a house fire near Peoria on July 4, Peoria Fire-Medical Department said.
The house fire occurred in a county island surrounded by Peoria, officials said. When Peoria Fire-Medical crews arrived, the house was heavily involved in fire.
A lack of fire hydrants in the area impacted the crew's response time, officials said. Units from Glendale, Sun City, Phoenix and Arizona Fire & Medical Authority assisted in the response.
Reports indicated the fire spread to the house after a barbecue malfunction, officials said.
The homeowner attempted to address the malfunction and burned his hands, Peoria Fire-Medical officials said. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
According to Peoria Fire-Medical, five pet dogs are left unaccounted for as of 1 p.m.
— Vivian Barrett
Beginning July 4, the National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings for Maricopa County, Coconino County and Pima County.
Maricopa County will be under an excessive heat warning from 10 a.m. on Independence Day through 8 p.m. on July 8. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach 110 to 116 degrees, according to the weather service.
An excessive heat warning for the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon was issued around 11:30 a.m. July 4 and will expire at 8 p.m. July 9. Temperatures in the area are expected to range from 107 to 114 degrees.
Coconino County also received a heat warning for Lake Powell near Page, Marble and Glen canyons starting at 11 a.m. July 4 and lasting until 8 p.m. July 8. Temperatures in the area are expected to be between 105 to 112 degrees.
— Vivian Barrett
Several restaurants in Arizona are joining the Fourth of July fun by offering delicious food and drink discounts on the holiday and throughout the month.
If you are still on the hunt for a place to eat or to grab a sweet treat this holiday, here is a look at the deals near you.
You can get discounts on everything from Polar Pizzas and Star-Spangled Sips to a Freedom Flag Doughnut.
— Vivian Barrett
Drone light shows were a popular new alternative to fireworks displays, offering a cheaper and more sustainable way to enjoy a lit-up night sky that celebrates Independence Day.
Drone displays would be shown the night of July Fourth in Gilbert, and on July 6 at the Arizona Biltmore hotel in Phoenix.
Since the first show in 2012 in Austria, drone shows have become popular in places where restrictions were placed on traditional fireworks, with the futuristic shows creating a billion-dollar industry. The choreographed drones equipped with LED lights create formations and symbols in the sky.
The advanced drones usually cost between $500 and $1,000 each, and are dispatched by the hundreds to create the colorful displays.
A study by the journal Atmospheric Environment found Fourth of July fireworks displays create 42% more pollutants in the air, unlike reusable drones that create no waste.
— Helen Rummel
Gas prices in Arizona sat above the national average by over 5 cents as of Tuesday, with the average price of regular gas at $3.56 per gallon, well above the national average of $3.50.
Phoenix metro averaged about $3.55, but prices were about 30 cents cheaper than they were last summer.
AAA said Arizona was more expensive than the national average because of record travel expectations, hurricane season, and crude oil prices that reached almost $81 per barrel on Tuesday.
— Rey Covarrubias Jr.
Hot temperatures and clear conditions will linger throughout metro Phoenix for the July Fourth holiday, according to the National Weather Service of Phoenix.
Phoenix is expected to reach 112 degrees on Thursday, with clear skies prevailing. Light breezes are expected to linger until Thursday night as Arizonans gather for fireworks displays amidst a nightly low of 87 degrees. Temperatures during fireworks shows are expected to be between 106 and 112 degrees.
In northern Arizona, conditions would stay calm but warm, as a high of 91 degrees set the tone on Thursday in Flagstaff before a nightly low of 57 degrees. Winds on Thursday could reach up to 20 mph, according to the NWS.
In Tucson, a slight chance of thunderstorms was possible on Wednesday night but gave way to sunny and hot conditions on Thursday, with a high of 105 degrees and a low of 79 degrees. Wind gusts would increase throughout the day before calming at night.
— Rey Covarrubias Jr.
Travelers can expect no construction or maintenance closures along state highways from the Fourth of July through the weekend, said Arizona Department of Transportation.
From July 3-8, Arizona's highways will be fully open to vehicles making their way around the state. The Department of Transportation provided in a release that no construction or maintenance is scheduled for the holiday weekend, but drivers should still be cautious of others on the road.
— Lux Butler
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, U.S. 60 was closed in both directions west of Wickenburg, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The closure was due to a vehicle fire at milepost 92. Motorists were advised to expect delays and seek an alternate route.
There was no estimated time to reopen the highway.
— Republic staff
With the Fourth of July falling on Thursday, schools, federal agencies and mail services will be unavailable, while some retail store hours will be restricted. Metro Phoenix will still see many businesses operate under normal hours, but many adjusted services in observation of the holiday.
UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service will not deliver or receive mail on the holiday, except for some local locations for UPS. Official business at banks or federal agencies such as the Motor Vehicle Division would also be closed. All schools from elementary to college will be closed.
Walmart, Fry’s and Target would be open for their regular business hours, while Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Aldi will operate on modified hours to be found on their website. Costco will be closed for the holiday, according to the retailer’s website. Shoppers headed out on the holiday should check their local stores for specific hours.
— Raphael Romero Ruiz
The cool air of northern Arizona is a popular destination for state residents looking to stay home for the holiday, while offering unique Fourth of July celebrations from Prescott to Show Low and many attractions in between.
Celebrations will look a little different in each northern Arizona community. On Thursday, Flagstaff and Show Low would have parades in the morning followed by festival-like activities in the day, and fireworks show at night. Prescott Valley would host an afternoon of family fun with food trucks and more before their own fireworks show once the sun fully sets.
Prescott and Taylor will both host rodeo-themed celebrations, the former touting as the world’s oldest rodeo in the area. Taylor will delay festivities and celebrate the holiday on July 5 and 6. The event will include a night rodeo and a traditional anvil launching, in which spectators watch a black powder-filled hunk of metal take flight in the sky of the White Mountains.
— Republic staff
Tempe’s 72nd annual Fourth of July celebration will continue in 2024 to light up the city’s expanding skyline and historic fixtures alike. Republic reporting dating back to 1893 cited the first celebration as including horse racing and muddy foot races set under what is now A Mountain.
While the celebration is running strong today, that wasn’t always the case as other Valley cities competed with their own Independence Day celebrations. In 1909, then-Arizona Republican reporting said Mill Avenue looked more like a ghost town than a busy main drag, with an exceptionally popular event happening in Mesa at the same time. That same night, an enthusiastic resident sent off dynamite near A Mountain, the explosive reportedly heard from miles around.
Today, Tempe celebrates the holiday with a much more controlled fireworks show and a festival that typically closes Mill Avenue for visitors on foot. Tempe’s celebration draws an average of 10,000 visitors each year.
— Michael Salerno
U.S. Highway 64 was closed Wednesday in both directions near the Arizona-New Mexico state line because of flooding on the road, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Eastbound traffic on U.S. Highway 160 in Arizona can continue on U.S. 160 into Colorado near the Four Corners and then take U.S. Highway 491 southbound into New Mexico.
Delays were expected, and there was no estimated time to reopen the highway.
— Republic staff
There’s no shortage of fireworks displays in the Phoenix area on the Fourth of July. The hardest part is choosing which to go to.
Communities from each end of the Valley will host family fun fit with entertainment, food, and activities to stay busy before fireworks displays on Thursday night.
Be sure to keep updated on weather conditions that might impact if Valley cities are able to host their fireworks show. Check your destination's website and social media pages to stay up to date.
Most of the gatherings were free, and offered daylong events, like a petting zoo and circus acts in Anthem, to a superhero stunt show in Mesa.
— Meredith G. White
Officials weary of wildfire risk ahead of holiday
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management urged residents to avoid using fireworks this Fourth of July due to high wildfire danger.
With nearly 5,500 acres of desert burning, officials emphasize the risk fireworks pose. Increased patrols will monitor areas such as Pinal County and State Route 74. Only specific fireworks are legal, and fireworks are never allowed on State Trust lands. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place across most of Arizona. To date in 2024, 862 fires have burned nearly 61,019 acres this year across the state. In 2023, between Jan. 1 and July 2, 793 fires burned 48,376 acres.
— Lux Butler
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 4th of July 2024 in Arizona: How do we rank for DUIs? Not well
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