MoCo Adjusts July 4 Fireworks Schedule, Issues 'Heat Dome' Warnings

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The two July 4th firework displays officially sanctioned by Montgomery County will get underway with a 30-minute delay this week.

Gabe Albornoz, the director of the Montgomery County Department of Recreation, announced at a Tuesday news conference that Fourth of July events planned in Kensington and Germantown would start at 7:30 p.m.

Both events were initially scheduled to start at 7 p.m., but were ultimately pushed back because of the intense heat forecast for the region. The fireworks will now go off at 9:30 p.m.

Shuttle services for the Kensington display, which takes place Friday at Albert Einstein High School, will begin at 7 p.m.

Albornoz said the Kensington fireworks attract some 14,000 spectators annually, whereas over 40,000 residents attend the Germantown show.

Related: July 4 Fireworks In Maryland 2026 Event Guide

While there are no plans to cancel either of the Independence Day shows at the moment, Albornoz did state that such a decision could be made if thunderstorm cells do develop.

"If weather conditions change or thunderstorms arise, then we may need to make additions," Albornoz said. "Please stay tuned."

Last-minute changes will be posted to the online county announcement boards and shared through the Alert Montgomery emergency systems.

The county last cancelled Fourth of July fireworks in 2012 due to damage caused by the derecho that struck the county ahead of the holiday.

For individuals considering not attending the firework shows, the county will also be livestreaming the events.

'The Heat Stress Will Compound'

High temperatures are forecast to exceed the 100-degree mark and bring along the potential for thunderstorms, starting from Wednesday and going into the Fourth of July weekend.

Officials have warned that the conditions will be made more intense by high dew points, which make it difficult for the human body to naturally cool down.

Related: 'Heat Dome' To Blast MD With 100-Degree Temperatures

Kisha Davis, the Montgomery County health officer, said residents should consider shifting any outdoor Fourth of July plans to either earlier in the day or later at night. She warned that peak heat times would be between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"The heat stress will compound day after day," she said.

Residents are urged to lather up on sunscreen lotion, avoid alcoholic beverages, ensure no pets or young children are left inside cars, and keep an eye on any elderly neighbors or relatives who live alone.

"This is an emergency. So if you're planning your Fourth of July events and you thought that you wanted to bring your pets, don't," said Caroline Hartfield, who serves as the director of the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center.

"Leave them at home where they're safe in an air-conditioned area."

'Do Not Be An Emergency'

In addition to the schedule adjustments and calls for residents to shift their holiday plans, county officials are also calling on community members to be prepared for possible power outages.

Luke Hodgson, the director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, told reporters during the briefing that the county would be activating an extreme temperature plan on Wednesday.

Related: Find Your Local Cooling Center

"This is a quadruple threat. We have the life-threatening heat, we have the demands on our power system that could cause disruption, we have possibly severe storms coming, and we have special events throughout the community," Hodgson said.

"We're taking all this very seriously, and we ask that you do, too, by taking a few steps to protect yourselves and your families. And we ask you to make a plan, make a kit, stay informed and get involved. Make a plan by planning to stay inside for several days."

"Do not be an emergency is the last thing I'd ask for you to be. So stay out of the weather if you can," he said.

EMS Battalion Chief Tony Scott, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, said any individual looking to stay cool by swimming should do so only in designated areas.

"Swimming is not allowed in the Potomac River. Please do not swim in that river," Scott said. "It can be extremely dangerous. We have loss of life every single year from that river."

A listing of pools in the county can be found online.