Fireworks are out, drones are in? Why a July 4th tradition is slowly evolving

For millions of Americans celebrating Independence Day, the 4^th of July concludes with the noisy, colorful spectacle of a professional fireworks show.  But in many parts of the country—and at events that traditionally include fireworks around the world—fireworks shows are being replaced with swarms of synchronized drones that create animated images against the night sky.

Why are drone shows on the rise? You could argue it’s a flashy trend, but proponents claim fireworks are so bad for people, animals, and the environment that it’s time for a permanent change. Here’s why you might be watching a drone show this year—and why these celebratory displays may be just a flash in the pan.

Why fireworks are losing their luster

“When we started looking into this, the thing that surprised me most was the extent of the disturbance,” says Bill Bateman, an associate professor at Curtin University’s school of molecular and life sciences in Australia. Bateman and his colleagues recently published a study in Pacific Conservation Biology that underscores what they call the “highly damaging” impacts of fireworks—spectacles that scare birds from roosting places and nesting sites, disturb and distress other animals with their sudden light and noise, and even affect animal breeding.

Part of the issue lies in the startle response or reflex, a whole-body reaction that causes the muscles to swiftly contract, the eyes to blink, and the pulse to race. Such reactions evolved to help animals and humans respond to danger, making them more alert and helping them protect their most vulnerable parts. Bateman and his colleagues write that the sounds and flashes of light associated with the blasts trigger the startle response in animals, causing distress and even death to animals. Young cranes, for instance, have been documented leaping from their nest in response to loud noises even though they cannot fly.

Humans experience these startle reactions, as well. Though there appears to be some genetic component to how easily someone startles, mental health conditions and post-traumatic stress can also play a role—and in fact, an exaggerated startle response is used to diagnose PTSD. But people who experience big reactions to fireworks may not just have an overactive startle response. The unexpected and unpredictable nature of fireworks, along with their ability to elicit flashbacks and memories in people who have survived combat situations, can trigger an ongoing feeling of danger and hypervigilance that lasts far beyond the holiday.

A dangerous tradition

There are plenty of other health reasons to avoid the colorful bursts. The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission recorded 9,700 ER visits and eight deaths from fireworks in 2023 alone—most due to fireworks misuse. Though amateur use of fireworks is often the culprit, the agency estimates that 18 percent of all fireworks on the market in 2023 didn’t meet safety standards, putting even experienced operators at risk.

And even the most professional fireworks displays can go horribly wrong, such as the 2012 “Big Bay Boom,” when an Independence Day fireworks display in San Diego malfunctioned, detonating the entire show’s fireworks all at once instead of over 18 minutes. Though nobody was hurt during the event, it remains a reminder of the unpredictable nature of fireworks, even under expert operation.

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Those dangers are even more marked in an age of human-caused climate change and a warming world. Persistent drought continues to affect the United States, combined with more frequent and widespread wildfires, and climate scientists predict more of the same as the world warms. Add fireworks to the mix, and it’s a perfect recipe for wildfire. Even legal fireworks pose a serious threat of wildfire: According to the National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing fires, fireworks caused 19,500 fires and $105 million in property damage in the U.S. in 2018 alone. And the damage isn’t limited to the United States—just this month, 13 people were arrested in Greece after a superyacht allegedly launched a fireworks show that triggered a 300-acre forest fire.

Fourth-of-July fireworks coincide with the peak of summer, and fire weather forecasters do their best to warn the public about particularly hot, windy, dangerous days, issuing red flag warnings that trigger state and federal laws prohibiting the use of fireworks on those days. As a result, fireworks shows in many states are often canceled or postponed, disappointing audiences and sometimes incurring pricey bills.

Fireworks leave behind other legacies, pumping pollutants into the air and depositing large amounts of heavy metals into the air, soil, and water. These impacts can disproportionately impact predominantly Black and Hispanic communities that already bear the brunt of pollution, contributing to respiratory ailments and other health conditions.

“I like fireworks, but I really feel they are not sustainable any longer,” says Bateman.

Are drones the solution?

The reasons to opt out of fireworks displays seem clear. But are drone shows the solution? These displays still create light pollution, and critics note that drone production still involves pollution and the creation of greenhouse gases. Drones can also collide with wildlife in the air, Bateman and his colleagues write, and there is some research that shows that animals react negatively to having drones in their habitats.

Research on drones’ environmental and wildlife impacts is still in its infancy. But for now, at least, the shows seem to be overwhelmingly less polluting—and the fact that drones can be reused makes them an even more tempting and sustainable alternative to investing in exploding firework stock each year.

Drone shows may be the wave of the future. However, the phenomenon may not be able to survive a potential national ban on drones produced by Da Jiang Innovations (DJI), the world’s main drone manufacturer. U.S. legislators claim the drones may allow China to collect information on American targets during flights, though whether China actually does so is yet to be proven. But given DJI’s market dominance—the company produced an estimated 58 percent of all drones in the U.S. in 2022—a nationwide ban could ground the very shows that are starting to replace fireworks around the country.

The law has already passed the House and has moved to the Senate, shaking up drone operators worldwide. So enjoy the drone light show while it lasts—this new celebratory trend could prove as fleeting as, well, a firework.