More Than 40,000 People Raised Concerns Last Year. We Cannot Ignore the Warning Again.

To:
Big Bear Lake City Council

Visit Big Bear

Pyro Spectaculars

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In 2025, more than 40,000 people signed a petition expressing concern over the impact of the Big Bear Lake July 4th fireworks display on the area's iconic bald eagle family. Despite overwhelming public support and repeated requests from wildlife advocates, the fireworks proceeded as planned.

• Today, we face an even greater risk.
• This year is not the same as last year.

Following the loss of their first clutch of eggs to predators in January 2026, Big Bear's resident bald eagle pair, Jackie and Shadow, produced a rare second clutch. Their eaglets, Sandy and Luna, hatched on April 4 and April 5, 2026, placing them at approximately 12 weeks of age on July 4th—a critical developmental stage recognized by wildlife experts as one of the most vulnerable periods before fledging.

Last year's concerns centered primarily on disturbance to adult eagles.

This year's concern is far more serious.

On July 4th, Sandy and Luna may still be developing the coordination, strength, and flight skills necessary for safe fledging. Sudden explosive noise, concussive blasts, and bright flashes have the potential to startle young birds, creating unnecessary risk during a critical period of development.

Millions of people from around the world watch this nest through the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream. Sandy and Luna have become symbols of conservation, education, and wildlife stewardship.

The public deserves to know that reasonable alternatives exist.

We Are Asking Decision-Makers To:

✔ Relocate the fireworks launch site away from critical bald eagle habitat.

✔ Consider alternative celebrations, including drone light shows or land-based displays farther from the nesting territory.

✔ Consult with wildlife biologists and federal wildlife agencies regarding potential impacts on the nesting eagles.

✔ Demonstrate a commitment to balancing community traditions with responsible wildlife stewardship.

Why This Matters

The Bald Eagle is America's national symbol.

After decades of conservation efforts, these magnificent birds recovered from near extinction because people chose protection over convenience.

Last year, more than 40,000 individuals spoke up on behalf of Big Bear's eagles.

This year, the stakes are even higher.

We cannot claim surprise if a preventable tragedy occurs after repeated warnings, documented concerns, and overwhelming public support for protecting these birds.

Our Request

We respectfully call upon Big Bear Lake officials, Visit Big Bear, Pyro Spectaculars, and relevant wildlife agencies to take immediate action to reduce potential risks to Sandy and Luna by relocating the July 4th fireworks display away from occupied bald eagle habitat.