It looks like tomorrow’s Independence Day festivities are going to be a little more subdued than usual. Concerned about igniting wildfires in dry areas, authorities in some cities have imposed bans on fireworks displays. “Even if someone takes a legal firework and throws it up in the sky, that’s now an illegal firework,” said Sean Collins, a spokesman for the Kern County Fire Department in Bakersfield, Calif.

And that’s bad news for nonprofit groups that had anticipated using fireworks sales to raise money:

Victory Life Center, a small Pentecostal congregation in Westfield, Ind., had hoped July 4 fireworks sales would help pay for a new church building.

The church invested $8,000 in supplies and rent for a shop. But with each sign and banner that went up came a citation from the city to cease and desist.

“Activities and outreach – it takes money. And that was the whole intent and purpose, not greed, just to impact our community,” said the Rev. Randy Adams, the church’s pastor. “It’s going to be devastating if we’re not able to sell and recoup at least our expenses.”

I guess that’s why the old adage says, Don’t count your chicks before they’ve hatch–and, Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.