I am not a party pooper. I love to get together with friends and family as much as the next person, but I have never set off fireworks in our backyard for a couple of reasons.

The number one reason is that we live in the woods. I would be devastated if fireworks set off by my family caused a fire. Our development has one road in and one road out; it’s the same road so a fire in our development would be a catastrophe.

The 2017 the Eagle Creek Fire in Oregon burned over 48,000 acres and was unable to be contained for almost 3 months. The blaze was presumably started by a firecracker!

Another reason for not setting off fireworks is I am mindful about how much noise we create in our neck of the woods. We moved into our development 33 years ago to escape the rat race and noise and, for the most part, our neighborhood is pretty quiet.

I try to remember I am not the only one sharing this planet and what I do affects others. I do love playing with sparklers and delight in them probably more than my grandchildren do. The best thing about sparklers is that while we can celebrate, we aren’t disrupting the neighbors, their dogs or the wildlife.

Unfortunately, for the next week and beyond, things are not going to be so peaceful. As I write this it’s still June so the fireworks and other things that go bang in the night have begun. My neighbors always start celebrating early instead of waiting until the Fourth. So, from early evening until late at night the festivities begin and go on and on for weeks. Years ago, our dog would spend a very uncomfortable period of time cowering in the corner and hiding under beds. No amount of comforting could get her to calm down.

I began to wonder how the wildlife was affected by this barrage of noise and light. Judging by the way our dog reacted, I assumed the wildlife was terrified as well.

Sheltered in the house our dog was badly affected so it only made sense that the wildlife caught in the middle all of this disruption had to be terrified as well. So, after doing some reading, I discovered that research confirms fireworks do impact wildlife negatively and profoundly.

Mammals have been known to abandon offspring and flee in fear. They become disoriented and sometimes never return to care for their young.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nesting birds have been known to abandon their nests in confusion also never returning to their young. Those who do return to their nests have been observed to suffer from weight loss, sluggishness, and disrupted sleep patterns in the weeks following a fireworks display.

Research also shows an increase in admittance to wildlife rehabilitation centers due to animals fleeing the noises and either flying into something or running across roads to escape. And, it is possible for some wildlife to be frightened to death.

Something that I never really considered before was all the debris left behind from fireworks.

Over the years so much attention has been given to the negative impacts of plastic bottles, straws and fishing nets, but I know I never thought about the burnt-out remains of the fireworks.

The trash left behind can cause animals to get entangled. Fireworks contain gunpowder, metals, salts and oxidizers. These chemicals remain in the environment long after the fireworks are over.

In 2010 a study found that the toxins and air pollution created by fireworks have been linked to human illness and deaths, mostly from respiratory and cardiovascular causes. If this is seen in people who remain on the ground, far below the gases, imagine what is happening to birds, bats and insects that are flying around in these toxins.

Something else to consider is when these toxins fall to the ground and end up in soil and water. Fish, amphibians and a number of invertebrate animals have been greatly impacted as well. I am ashamed to admit I never really gave these dangers a thought. Now I know better.

Remember I said I am not a party pooper?

I have gone to fireworks shows all my life that are held as a community event.

While these events are much safer and are more carefully controlled as far as waste goes, they still cause a lot of stress in all types of animals. Enjoying fireworks safely and with family and friends, it certainly is possible while still respecting the needs of our furry neighbors and wildlife.

Although wildlife is still affected by these shows, it is a better alternative than individuals setting off fireworks in their backyards.

I hope this information has helped you, and that you have a fantastic, safe, and mindful Fourth of July.

Jeannie Carl is a naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill. The center rehabilitates injured animals and educates the public on a variety of wildlife found in the area. For information on the Carbon County Environmental Center, visit www.carboneec.org.