There will be no bombs bursting in air on the Fourth of July across some drought-stricken parts of the nation, but residents will still get a buzz — when drones replace fireworks.
With massive wildfires burning out of control in the West, several communities are turning to the illuminated aircraft to elicit the “oohs” and “ahhs” while avoiding the danger of sparking more blazes.
Towns in California, Colorado and Arizona turned to the safer alternative after witnessing the impressive drone shows like the one Intel prepared at the Winter Olympics, USA Today reported.
In Colorado, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association didn’t even request a fireworks permit this year because of the likelihood it would be denied due to the arid conditions.
Instead, it’s swapping out the traditional firework for a drone show by the Great Lakes Drone Co., which will use 50 of the aerial vehicles choreographed to a medley of patriotic tunes.
“We had to come up with a highlight for our celebrations so we’re doing a drone show. It should be fun, a bit new age,” chamber spokeswoman Melissa Wisenbaker said, according to the Guardian.
“If we are having these increased fire dangers and risks every year, then we would like to have alternatives so people can end the night on a good note,” she added.
Wisenbaker said city officials knew residents would be disappointed not to have fireworks — even sparklers are banned — but that “people understand.”
Besides, not everyone will miss the fireworks blasts.
“Our cats and dogs will be super happy,” said Wisenbaker, adding that foxes, deer, bears and other wildlife are scared by fireworks.
In Arizona, the mayor of Carefree also said he liked the alternative to the rockets’ red glare.
“Well, they described it and they sent us a video and we said, ‘Let’s do it,'” Mayor Les Peterson told CBS News.
In Cave Creek, Ariz., Detroit-based Firefly Drone Shows will put on two shows, said Rianna Riego, chief brand officer at the resort of Cirvana Carefree, USA Today reported.
And in Flagstaff, an event organizer said planners tried to get a laser show instead of fireworks but companies were all booked up — including for a laser display planned for the Grand Canyon.
In California, fire officials are happy to see the shift toward drones.
From a fire safety perspective, it’s “definitely worth it to use a drone over live fireworks,” said Lynne Tolmachoff, spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“The drones are choreographed and programmed to ensure they don’t fall across power lines,” she said. “We’re starting to see them in bigger cities and areas that have the money to do the shows.”
Despite their allure, drone shows do have their skeptics — namely in the group that represents fireworks suppliers and manufacturers.
Fireworks are a multi-sensory experience with sounds and colors and a thunderous finale, said Julie Heckman, executive director at the American Pyrotechnics Association.
Drone shows, on the other hand, mostly feature a low buzzing, akin to a swarm of bumblebees, she told USA Today.
“I don’t think a drone display is going to make people ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh,'” Heckman said. “There’s a real thrill in being able to light your own fireworks.”
