Colorado Wildfires grow as officials warn against Fourth of July fireworks amid dangerous heat

In Colorado, where several wildfires continue to burn, state leaders are urging residents to skip fireworks.

(CNN)- As millions of Americans prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, officials across the country are warning that dangerous weather conditions could turn holiday festivities into emergencies.

In Colorado, where several wildfires continue to burn, state leaders are urging residents to skip fireworks. Fire officials say most wildfires are caused by human activity, and dry conditions combined with strong winds have created an extreme fire danger.

Governor Jared Polis is encouraging Coloradans to celebrate safely and save fireworks for Colorado Day on August 1.

One of the largest active fires, the Aspen Acres Fire, started early Monday and quickly grew to 23,000 acres by Monday evening. Officials say strong winds have hampered firefighting efforts, while the blaze has destroyed multiple homes. Evacuation orders remain in effect, though no injuries have been reported.

Meanwhile, firefighters and community members gathered in Grand Junction on Monday to honor three firefighters who were killed while battling a wildfire along the Utah-Colorado border over the weekend.

Elsewhere, extreme heat continues to grip much of the country. In Chicago, city officials are urging residents to check on neighbors and take precautions as dangerously high temperatures persist.

Forecasters say the heat wave stretching across the eastern half of the United States could tie or break more than 100 daily high-temperature records, along with more than 200 record warm overnight lows heading into the Fourth of July weekend.