As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July, extreme heat is expected to disrupt festivities from Washington to Los Angeles. The heatwave poses challenges for planned events and celebrations across the country, potentially affecting attendance and safety measures.

The annual July 4 parade in Washington has been canceled due to extreme heat, which organizers deemed a significant risk for participants and spectators. The National Park Service made the announcement shortly before the parade was set to start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, coinciding with the celebration of America's 250th Independence Day.

More than 165 million people in the US were experiencing extreme heat on Friday, with record temperatures affecting the East Coast and Midwest, according to the US National Weather Service.

At least 19 people have died in New Jersey from suspected heat-related causes during a record-breaking heat wave that affected the East Coast over the July 4 holiday weekend, according to state officials. New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard Washington reported the fatalities at a news conference, indicating that many victims were found in homes without air conditioning.

The United States celebrated its 250th birthday with fireworks and flyovers, amidst reports of intense weather conditions across the country, according to BBC World. The event highlighted both the festivities and the challenges posed by scorching heat and delays during the celebrations.

At least 19 deaths in New Jersey are suspected to be linked to extreme heat as a heat dome affected parts of the central and eastern United States. This situation has transitioned into severe thunderstorms, resulting in power outages for nearly 1 million homes and businesses. New Jersey officials reported that the heat-related fatalities began to be observed as early as Thursday.