safety
Petition pushing to cancel July 4 fireworks to protect beloved eagles
By Christian Cázares at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
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, includi...
Key takeaway “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.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The debate over canceling Big Bear's Fourth of July fireworks to protect the local eagle family has significant implications for the community. While the event is expected to draw over 125,000 visitors and provide a much-needed boost to the local tourism industry, environmental concerns cannot be ignored. The fact that the fireworks show has been a 60-year tradition in Big Bear suggests that finding a balance between preserving the local wildlife and supporting the economy will be crucial. The distance between the proposed fireworks location and the eagle's nest, as well as the potential impact on the eaglets, will be key factors in determining the outcome of this debate. As the hotel occupancy rate currently stands at 75%, well below normal levels, the community must weigh the economic benefits of the event against the potential harm to the beloved eagle family, Jackie, Shadow, Sandy, and Luna.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . 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 NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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, includi...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Christian Cázares at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). 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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