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U.S. celebrates Fourth of July at home, abroad

ReutersRather than being illuminated by Fourth of July fireworks, the skies over Colorado Springs, Colo., are lit up by a lighting strike as rain clouds approach the Waldo Canyon fire. Firefighters grappling with the two most destructive wildfires on record in Colorado reported progress but were steeling themselves for a long season in what has already been a dangerously active fire year in the western United States. Concerns over such fires led to bans on holiday fireworks in numerous locales.Fox44A barge operated by the fireworks company Atlas Advanced Pyrotechnics, shown in advance of the Burlington, Vt., fireworks show.ReutersU.S. soldiers distribute pieces of cake during Independence Day celebrations Wednesday in Kabul, Afghanistan.ReutersU.S. Gen. John Allen, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, speaks during the celebration in Kabul.ReutersCooks grill corn in preparation for celebrations at the White House.ReutersMaj. Gen. (Rtd.) Scott Gration, the U.S.'s ambassador to Kenya, talks with Auma Obama, half-sister of President Obama, during an Independence Day celebration Wednesday in Nairobi.MarketWatch/Tim RostanA marching band outfitted in Oscar Mayer uniforms receives its instructions -- in Spanish -- at Madrid's Puerta del Sol before a Fourth of July–themed event.MarketWatch/Tim RostanMeanwhile, a short walk away at Plaza Callao, workers set up a stage featuring the Kraft meat brand's (KFT) Wienermobile.MarketWatch/Steve KerchCrowds gear up for one of the Chicago area's more popular Independence Day parades in Highland Park, Ill. This year's theme: "Salute to the Troops: Honoring the Women and Men of the United States Military."ReutersPeople gather to watch Independence Day fireworks over Washington from the lawn at the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.