By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP)

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D. — Officials say they’re cancelling Mount Rusher’s nationally televised Independence Day fireworks show because of wildfire worries.

Park Superintendent John Scott said Wednesday that officials fear the display that draws thousands of onlookers could spark a fire this summer.

Mount Rushmore is a national monument, with the faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt carved into its side. Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film “North By Northwest” has the final chase scene set among the massive presidential statuary.  Scott says mountain pine beetle damage has left many dead trees standing with intact needles, which could serve as tinder and heighten the wildfire risk for this coming summer.

This July 4th display would have marked the monument’s 13th annual show. It’s drawn more than 30,000 people in the past and tourism officials say millions more have watched lives nationwide broadcasts via satellite feed.