Big Bear’s July 4th fireworks show will go on despite concerns from bald eagle fans

Big Bear’s Fourth of July fireworks show will go on as planned Friday, despite concerns from fans about how it will affect the famous bald eagle family living in the nest overlooking the lake.

About 26,000 people have signed an online petition to postpone or ban Big Bear’s annual event for the sake of local wildlife, but especially Sunny and Gizmo, the juvenile eagle sisters that people are still spotting in the area after the birds took their first flight away from the nest last month.

Travis Scott, CEO of Visit Big Bear — which organizes the fireworks show alongside the Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake — said in a statement that the decision to move forward with this year’s event was not made lightly and came after careful consideration of community values and environmental science.

“Our eagles are a source of joy, pride, and identity here in Big Bear — and our commitment to their future is unwavering,” Scott said.

Fan concerns for the feathered family

The fireworks can startle the birds and spook them into flying at night, when they can't see well. That raises the risk of collisions and injuries, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the educational nonprofit that manages the popular YouTube livestream of the nest occupied by adult eagles Jackie and Shadow, and their eaglets.

Leaders of the nonprofit organization say they share many of the concerns expressed by the fans who started and signed the petition against the fireworks.

Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, stressed the dangers of flying at night for adult bald eagles, as well as juveniles who are still getting used to life outside the nest.

“They could run into things, be injured, be killed, and then be separated from Jackie and Shadow and not be trained,” she said. “It doesn't make any sense to disrupt them at this point.”

Some fans worry the sound of the explosions could push the eagles out of their habitat before they’re prepared to leave — or out of Big Bear altogether.

Jackie and Shadow disappeared for days after previous holiday fireworks shows, Steers said, including for nearly a week in 2022. And one of their previous chicks, Simba, was left alone without food or protection in 2019 after Jackie flew away from the nest when the July 4th fireworks started.

“ He just went into absolute freeze mode,” Steers said.

Fireworks will still light up the lake

Visit Big Bear said it is committed to balancing the needs of the local community with those of the natural environment as the organization moves forward with the holiday show.

“Fireworks can be stressful for wildlife and even our own beloved pets,” Scott said. “But this is a professional display lasting under 30 minutes, conducted over water, and managed by one of the world’s most experienced pyrotechnics companies.”

Visit Big Bear said in a statement that it has strategically set the show to start after the most sensitive developmental periods for local wildlife, with the fireworks launching over the water on the south shore — the opposite end of where the nest is located.

The tourism organization noted that it has adapted to the beloved bald eagle family in the past, including canceling a 2022 Memorial Day fireworks show to respect Spirit, another one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks that had not yet left the nest. The next year, the event organizers tried a drone and light show for Labor Day.

The drone show has since become an annual tradition, which Steers described as a “very welcome change” she hopes to see more of.

“We understand that not everyone will agree with this decision,” Scott said. “But we hope people see the totality of our efforts: we’re honoring tradition while evolving our practices. We’re prioritizing long-term partnerships with science-based programming, and we remain open to change.”

Big Bear’s fireworks show is set to start at 8:45 p.m. Friday. All other fireworks, including for personal use, are banned in Big Bear Valley.