Letter to the Editor: Illegal Fireworks Harms Wildlife
Sunday, July 6, 2025
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Last night on the 4th of July, I heard thundering booms of illegal fireworks in our neighborhoods. It sounded like we were all held captive in the middle of a barrage of shell and gun fire. I thought about not only vulnerable people and pets, but the wildlife who suffered through this absurd, illegal bombardment last night. Our wildlife, mammals and birds can be literally frightened to death; the young may be especially vulnerable. I learned this clearly Saturday morning after the 4th of July.
I had been observing a fledgling crow in our backyard, learning to forage and exercise its wings as it hopped about the yard. It was guarded and watched over by the parent crows in nearby trees. There was a protective fence around the yard, preventing predators from harming the fledgling exploring the yard. When the parents came to check on the fledgling, loud raucous cawing was exchanged between them and the fledgling several times during the day into Friday evening. I observed the young crow before nightfall Friday; it was fine.
This morning, I went out and discovered it had died. Hours earlier it had been very active. I called PAWS Wildlife Center and talked to them. They reported this happens quite often after the 4th of July; loud explosions can literally frighten birds to death.
The fledgling, who soon would have joined its family, was instead exposed to blasts of illegal fireworks into the night, causing death. The death of this fledgling shows how serious illegal fireworks can be to wildlife. Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. Each year, wildlife in our area face threats from illegal fireworks, suffering in silence, unable to escape the chaos. We all must consider the toll our actions have on our environment and its creatures.
Nancy Morris
Shoreline
The fledgling, who soon would have joined its family, was instead exposed to blasts of illegal fireworks into the night, causing death. The death of this fledgling shows how serious illegal fireworks can be to wildlife. Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. Each year, wildlife in our area face threats from illegal fireworks, suffering in silence, unable to escape the chaos. We all must consider the toll our actions have on our environment and its creatures.
Nancy Morris
Shoreline
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12 comments:
Our law enforcement are not enforcing.
I couldn’t agree more! This year my old dog has been having a really hard time with all the booms. We have had to “drug” her and still the last 4 nights have been difficult. In a neighborhood with lots of dogs, cats and wildlife, it boggles my mind at how many “home” fireworks were discharged this year. Illegal and thoughtless.
Thank you for this reminder. I wish our communities would do more to stop this illegal use. Not only that, illegal fireworks are responsible for causing devastating house fires, besides setting the land on fire. Wish irresponsible people would grow up and recognize we share our spaces with such beautiful wildlife, and find something else to do besides acts of destruction that can cause so much harm.
Why not designate certain places where fireworks can be discharged and post firemen or police there in case accidents happen. As for crows, the less the better.
To Anonymous who wants to designate certain places for fireworks and have police and firemen involved to watch, why have dangerous explosives in the first place. Police and firefighters already under staffed. Seattle Times published article - "Dozens treated for fireworks injuries in Seattle; at least 1 loses hand, " about all the accidents from illegal fireworks - look it up; so that should be the cautionary tale. And the crow dying from illegal actions is not an isolated event; actually birds dying from fireworks happens to many other Northwest bird species.
They kinda do. Boom city in Tulalip has an open field and you are only allowed to set fireworks within the gates. You can't even light sparklers on the other side of the fence.
People will light them up so why not setup a place to do it safely, As for understaffed fire and police departments I am sure they can get retirees to help out for the few days a year they are a “problem”. Also gets the boys in touch with the folks in the neighborhoods.
Despite July 4 being on a Friday this year, my observation is that there were considerably fewer middle of the night booms this year than in years past.
The crows are doing fine. I know of no major fires in Shoreline the past few days. Police are already understaffed and many laws are underenforced due to prioritization. How about we show a little gratitude at how minor the fireworks issue has been this year?
To all the anonymous who are missing the point of this letter by mentioning the death of one crow and how it is of no consequence, the impact to wildlife that includes numerous northwest birds is what is actually being highlighted by this letter. It isn't just about one fledgling crow; the fledgling crow was used as a focus of the impact of fireworks to numeoruous wildlife. Ms. Morris had the opportunity to observe this young crow for a number of hours until finding it dead. She received feedback from PAWS Wildlife Center on how birds of many species die from pure fright due to illegal fireworks. Also depending on location, a legal fireworks show, if near areas that birds nest or forage, will cause serious harm to bird populations. PAWS and other wildlife organizations state this due the high count of dead birds the next day after the 4th. Further all should read the many reports of injuries and fires in the greater Seattle area by reading the Seattle Times coverage on this. Maybe Shoreline escaped major fires this time, but if illegal fireworks continues in dense neighborhoods, there is a higher probability that fires will happen and injuries. And people are still unaware of the serious effects of fireworks on the many birds (nesting, having fledglings, up in trees and on ground) that we have in greenbelts, parks, and nearby trees on private property in Shoreline. Hopefully with advancements in drone use, drone use will replace explosive and fire starting fireworks: "Drones are replacing Fireworks in Fourth of July shows" | NewsNation Now. Many cities are now doing this for the 4 th of July.
"The" crows might be doing fine, but that little crow is absolutely not doing fine. Unharden your heart.
Is the concern about illegal fireworks being detonated by residents, or professional fireworks shows? If you are seriously considering pushing to reduce or eliminate professional shows, understand that you could not possibly craft a more counterproductive policy to your goals.
People want fireworks for the Fourth of July, and no drone show is going to replace them. There is no effective substitute for pyrotechnic booms in the sky. If we start restricting the safe professional fireworks shows, you can be sure that illegal amateur shows will fill the demand instead, and our police will be powerless to stop them.
It can get so much worse for babies, dogs, and urban wildlife. Fireworks sales on Indian reservations cannot be limited by the state owing to the nations' sovereignty, and even if it somehow could, fireworks transported here from other states would fill the gap. There is no way to stop the supply. None. This is the sober reality.
To me in reading the thoughtful letter above, the letter was focused on illegal fireworks explosions and harm to wildlife. Professional conducted shows should and many do make the effort to stay to areas known to be free of wildlife and birds nested, roosting, and foraging. It seems professional shows in our areas present the shows over the water. Others have offered their opinions above on the matter. Someone mentioned drones that are used in sensitive city areas. Regardless, illegal fireworks in Shoreline or elsewhere causes very noticeable harm to pets lost (look up the statistics), vulnerable people, and explicitly discussed in this letter to editor -- a reminder of harm to our wildlife and Northwest birds of all species. Some of the commenters further above seemed to miss that point or could care less that a fledgling died of fear. It was not alone in this as other birds died too. And again fires were set off, someone's hand blown off, and many other injuries in the Greater Seattle area.
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