As Americans are set to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday next month, an online community wants to cancel the long-held tradition of Fourth of July fireworks in Big Bear to protect the region’s beloved eagles.
Environmentalists said the explosive devices could hurt local wildlife, including Jackie and Shadow as well as their new eaglets.
The online petition to cancel the fireworks is growing as the famous eagle family will likely flee its nest to escape the noise.
While the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which provides live eagle cam feed, is not behind the petition, it agreed that the fireworks could scare off the eagles and leave their eaglets, Sandy and Luna, unprotected.
But officials said the Fourth of July event will bring a much-needed boost to the local tourism industry, adding that the fireworks show will be two miles away from the eagle family’s nest.
“We put a barge out with the fireworks on the center of the lake as far east away from the eagle’s nest area,” said Travis Scott, CEO of Visit Big Bear.
The hotel occupancy rate stood at 75% as of Thursday, well below the normal levels, but Scott hopes it will increase before the holiday.
“It’s one of those times where everyone wants to be outside around the lake and water. We have kayaking and paddle boarding and boat rentals,” Scott said.
More than 125,000 people were expected to visit Big Bear for the Fourth of July weekend, according to Big Bear officials.
Big Bear’s Independence Day fireworks show has been taking place every year for some 60 years.