The eaglets of a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear, California, were observed safe and well following a nearby Fourth of July fireworks display that raised concerns among environmental advocates and local residents.

Jackie and Shadow, the adult eagles, briefly left their nest on Saturday night as fireworks sponsored by Visit Big Bear lit up the sky roughly two miles away, according to Jennifer Voisard, media manager for Big Bear Valley. Despite the disturbance, the eaglets, named Luna and Sandy, remained in the nest throughout the event. By early Sunday morning, both adult eagles had returned to care for their young, who appeared healthy and were seen feeding on fish via a livestream managed by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley.

The annual fireworks event has sparked controversy over its potential impact on local wildlife, especially the well-known eagle family. A Change.org petition calling for the relocation of the fireworks display or its replacement with a more environmentally friendly drone show garnered more than 45,000 signatures. Advocates expressed particular concern this year due to the eaglets’ recent fledging; Luna and Sandy had just begun to fly days earlier and were observed in nearby trees but had not yet consistently returned to the nest.

Friends of Big Bear Valley sent a letter to local officials warning that the eaglets, whether still nesting or recently fledged, rely heavily on parental care during this critical period. The nonprofit feared that if Jackie and Shadow were forced to abandon the area for an extended time, the young birds’ survival could be at risk.

In response, Visit Big Bear emphasized the fireworks show’s significance to the local economy, especially after the region experienced a winter with much less snow than usual, which affected local businesses and workers. The organization described the event as a longstanding community tradition that supports numerous sectors, including lodging, dining, and recreation.

Despite the concerns, the fireworks proceeded as planned and lasted about 30 minutes. By the following evening, the eagle family continued to be visible on the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream, providing reassurance to their supporters that the birds had weathered the disturbance with no apparent harm.