Fourth of July weekend is one of the most dangerous times of the year in the United States. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest days in the year for motorists, and more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day in the year, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
But where you are could determine how safe you are. Some states are particularly vulnerable to wildfires and highway accidents. Other states are much safer from these threats.
Oklahoma ranked as the most dangerous state during the Fourth of July. It has a high wildfire risk—about 1,700 acres per 100,000 burned in 2018— and a high rate of traffic deaths for Independence Day weekend; there were about 2.5 highway deaths per million residents.
Oregon’s was a close second, with a worse road score than Oklahoma. It had 3.3 highway deaths per million residents but a lower risk for wildfires.