US marks 250th independence anniversary as heatwave disrupts celebrations

Americans have been trying to keep cool as they celebrate their country's 250th birthday during a sweltering heatwave.

On the National Mall in Washington volunteers have been keeping bottles of water in buckets of ice and handing them to members of the public. Some people have been using cowboy hats and umbrellas to stay out of the sun.

As we reported a bit earlier, the highest temperatures are expected in Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey, where the mercury could reach 108F (42C).

Some firework displays in Colorado have been cancelled due to a risk of wildfires breaking out.

Colorado Springs, Douglas County, Arvada, Durango and Vail have called off their fireworks due to dry conditions and concerns about high winds, reports the BBC's US news partner CBS News.

It comes after three firefighters were killed and two were injured while battling massive wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border on 27 June.

Colorado's Division of Fire Prevention & Control has also asked residents to skip personal fireworks and camp fires during 4 July celebrations.

The intense heat and humidity have forced the cancellation of Independence Day parades in both Washington and Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

On Washington's National Mall, organisers have delayed the opening of the public entry gates to reduce the amount of time people spend waiting in the brutal weather before the evening celebrations.

Despite the conditions, President Trump has promoted the event as a "spectacular rally" and has even joked that he'll deliver a "really long speech" to prove he can "do anything" during the heatwave.

But the president has been accused by his opponents of politicising the anniversary celebrations.

Speaking last night at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, he warned of what he called a resurgence of "the communist menace" and criticised "newcomers" whom he said embraced ideas opposed to the American way of life.