CA City Nixes July 4th Fireworks For Pets, Veterans, Cleaner Air

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs will not have a 4th of July fireworks show this year, but that doesn't mean the city's not celebrating.

Palm Springs took a progressive stance in planning its July 4th festivities — a program that many veterans' advocates, animal welfare supporters and environmentalists can get behind.

Instead of booming, thundering fireworks, the city will host a laser light show Sunday night. The city's Ruth Hardy Park at 700 Tamarisk Road will also feature a live concert. Classic rock band DUDE Jones will take the stage at 6:30 p.m., with the light show slated for 9:15 p.m.

The Palm Springs City Council voted 3-2 in May to nix fireworks. One of the major reasons behind the decision: to avoid causing distress to pets and to veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some veterans living with PTSD find July 4th can be hell. The disorder also affects some victims of violence, childhood abuse and life-threatening car accidents. People with PTSD are more likely to be triggered by fireworks, which can serve as a reminder of past experiences, according to an interview with Leah Blain, a clinical psychologist and director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania.

Additionally, animal welfare advocates and local shelters plead with residents to ensure pets are kept indoors during annual fireworks shows. Scared animals attempt to flee the sounds, and shelters see an uptick in the number of found pets dropped off every July 5. Animal control officers and veterinary hospitals also report an increase in the number of lost pets that are injured or killed on roadways.

For these reasons, lack of July 4th fireworks isn't necessarily a buzzkill in Palm Springs. In addition to a light show and concert, the city will also host a bevy of other Independence Day-themed events Sunday.

Sunrise Park, located at 480 S. Sunrise Way, will feature music, games, food and a movie beginning at dusk. The festivities kick off at 3 p.m. and go until the movie ends.

A family-themed pool party featuring food, games and music is planned for the Palm Springs Swim Center, 405 S. Pavilion Way. It goes from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Another water-based event, "Water Palooza," is planned for Victoria Park, 2744 N. Via Miraleste, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first 150 guests will receive free hot dogs and snow cones.

Some environmentalists likely applaud Palm Springs, too. The city's decision to cut July 4th fireworks preceded a dire warning Friday from local air quality regulators. Smoke from fireworks is expected to fill the air in many parts of Southern California, and regulators warned of potentially poor air quality that could have negative health effects.

A "particulate advisory" will be in effect Sunday through Monday afternoon in anticipation of higher levels of particulate matter in the air, as well as metal air pollutants, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The advisory will affect the South Coast air basin, which includes nearly all of Riverside and Los Angeles counties, all of Orange County and a portion of San Bernardino County.

The air quality index could reach the "very unhealthy" level, the AQMD said.

"The use of personal 'backyard' fireworks also contributes to this air pollution and can further increase how much air pollution a person is breathing," the AQMD said. "In addition, personal 'backyard' fireworks may create even higher levels of fine particulate matter locally that are far higher than regional particulate levels."

Personal fireworks are banned across Riverside County except in the desert cities of Blythe, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs and Indio, which allow only so-called "safe and sane" devices such as sparklers and fountains that don't shoot into the air.

Regulators said levels of particulate matter in the air on July 4 and 5 are traditionally among the worst of the year.

"Breathing fine particulate matter can lead to a wide variety of cardiovascular and respiratory health effects such as heart attacks, asthma aggravation, decreased lung function, coughing or difficulty breathing and may lead to premature death in people with heart or lung diseases," according to the AQMD.