What would the Fourth of July be without Texas barbeque (as opposed to the hamburger and hot dog variety that many misguided revelers try to pass off), praise-style patriotic music and fireworks?

Some Texans are about to find out.

Based on the recommendation of its fire chief Alan B. Benson, The Woodlands canceled its annual Fourth fireworks show. Magnolia, Tomball, Rosenberg and Splashtown quickly followed suit and other municipalities figure to join the trend. Galveston County, one of the most fireworks friendly counties in Texas, is considering a complete fireworks ban.

According to KTRK Ch. 13, 224 of the 254 counties in Texas currently have burn bans in effect, and a local ban was recently amended to include the prohibition of the sale or use of fireworks anywhere in unincorporated Harris County. The extreme drought is causing organized firework shows to be shelved, to avoid risking setting fire to greater Houston in such easy-burn conditions.

Pyromaniacs are out of luck, but anyone staying in town this weekend can still catch the big show.

The Freedom Over Texas celebration will take place as planned, featuring a lively patriotic display of fireworks in downtown's Eleanor Tinsley Park — even though sparklers are now even banned for Houston's citizens.

If you're dying for some sparkler action, maybe you should consider patriotically shrinking chip bags in your microwave while listening to Katy Perry's "Firework."