safety
Big Bear’s bald eagle fledglings will face Fourth of July fireworks — again
By Makenna Cramer at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 3, 2026
· 4 min read
Jackie and Shadow's fledglings, Sandy and Luna, visiting the nest less than a week after they flew away for the first time.(Friends of Big Bear Valley / YouTube)The skies of Big Bear will light up with Fourth of July fireworks Saturday, reigniting concerns about how the colorful explosions could...
Key takeaway “It's not knowing what [Sandy and Luna are] supposed to be doing outside of the nest, knowing where they are, knowing where they're going, if they get separated from their parents or each other it could cause an issue,” Voisard told LAist.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The Fourth of July fireworks display in Big Bear poses a significant threat to the local bald eagle family, particularly the newly fledged eaglets, Sandy and Luna. As they take to the skies for the first time, the risk of collision-related injuries increases, especially if they attempt to flee the loud noises and flashes at night. The presence of a road near the nest further exacerbates the danger, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences of the fireworks display. The economic importance of the event to the community is clear, but it must be balanced against the potential harm to the eagles, which are already vulnerable in their first year of life. The fact that about 70% of bald eagles survive their first year underscores the need for caution and responsible decision-making to protect these iconic birds and ensure the long-term health of the local ecosystem.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? Jackie and Shadow's fledglings, Sandy and Luna, visiting the nest less than a week after they flew away for the first time.(Friends of Big Bear Valley / YouTube)The skies of Big Bear will light up with Fourth of July fireworks Saturday, reigniting concerns about how the colorful explosions could...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Makenna Cramer at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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