Fourth of July changes: why some cities are skipping the fireworks and festivities this year

Fire dangers. A lack of funding. Environmental concerns. Fears of an ICE sweep.

These are just a few of the reasons why Fourth of July celebrations might be a little tamer this year in Southern California.

In Los Angeles, City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has postponed July 4 celebrations sponsored by Council District 14 (which encompasses Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights and Northeast Los Angeles) in the wake of immigration enforcement sweeps, according to our news partners at the Boyle Heights Beat.

Two other predominantly Latino cities also followed suit: Bell Gardens and Cudahy are also postponing celebrations citing safety concerns.

Santa Monica’s only official fireworks display was canned because of a lack of funds, and this will be the last year that Long Beach will hold its fireworks show due to environmental concerns. Next year, the city will usher in a drone show.

And for the first time in more than 20 years, the traditional fireworks extravaganza at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena will also be replaced by a drone show amid fire concerns, and in deference to the recent wildfire victims.

Lisa Derderian, the city of Pasadena’s spokesperson, said the drone show has been considered for a few years now because “it’s a lot better for the environment, air quality, noise. It’s something new and exciting.”

The move also comes as the city reels from the devastating wildfires in January — the Eaton Fire destroyed around 150 homes in Pasadena alone.

Derdarian added that the vegetation that burned in the Eaton Fire is still very much combustible.

" It's important to stress that just because people assume we had a fire in January and that those have burned and they're not gonna burn again,” she said. “That vegetation is already on those mountains, so it wouldn't take much: A sparkler that can reach 1,200 degrees or a fire that goes astray to start another fire.”

The city is also ramping up enforcement this year. Pasadena bans all fireworks, including so-called “safe and sane” versions that are deemed less dangerous.

What it used to be like

In the past, people would bring fireworks to the Rose Bowl parking lot and surrounding areas. People would also congregate in the Upper Hastings Ranch area as a vantage point to view fireworks displays across Los Angeles County.

People should not do either this year, Derdarian said, as the fireworks could be triggering for some fire victims (and their pets).

“People are starting the permit process to rebuild and recover. And the noise of fireworks, the smell, the air quality, it’s just creating angst for those that have been through so much already,” she said.

The city will also have police and fire teams out on patrols starting this weekend, "so we ask people, please abide by our laws,” she added.

Another longtime fireworks show cancelled

The only fireworks show in the city of Santa Monica was also canceled because of a lack of funds.

Santa Monica College puts on the Celebrate America festival every July 4, typically culminating with a fireworks display. But this year, at the Board of Trustees meeting, Superintendent Kathryn E. Jeffery said the partners who typically help fund the event dropped out. And Santa Monica College cannot use its general fund for the fireworks show because it's a “non-educational event.”

Long Beach must switch to drones next year

Our media partners at the Long Beach Post report that the California Coastal Commission has unanimously ruled against the city’s famed annual fireworks display — dubbed Big Bang on the Bay. That celebration must be replaced by a drone show next year because of water quality concerns and harm to migratory birds.

The organizer, local business owner John Morris, had been locked in a longstanding legal battle with the Coastal Commission to allow the display to continue. The event, he’s said in the past, draws more than 100,000 visitors and helps boost local businesses and raise funds for local charities.

But, according to the Long Beach Post, he is now willing to work with the Coastal Commission to bring in a drone show.

Ramping up enforcement

If this has you thinking about putting on your own fireworks show, think again.

At the very least, you should find out the rules in your own community. And know that cities are also cracking down on illegal fireworks.

In Orange County, for example, leaders in the city of Brea are ramping up enforcement as the city is in a high fire risk zone. The city passed an ordinance to charge landlords if fireworks are lit on their property and parents will be fined if their children are caught lighting illegal fireworks.