Instead of following the random police chase last night, the stations in the Los Angeles market put their helicopters to use tracking fireworks displays, both legal and illegal, around the area.
The results are both beautiful and terrifying, given drought conditions in the tinder dry Golden State.
Here’s a quick look at what the owned stations’ choppers captured from the air last night:
KABC tweeted this out:
“AIR7 HD roaming SoCal as fireworks light up the sky on Fourth of July.”
#LIVE: AIR7 HD roaming SoCal as fireworks light up the sky on Fourth of July https://t.co/yPaHoQ27u9 pic.twitter.com/2I91cytE1x
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 5, 2022
KCBS did the same with its helicopter:
“Illegal fireworks lit up the sky all over LA as many celebrated the Fourth of July.”
Illegal fireworks lit up the sky all over LA as many celebrated the Fourth of July. For continued coverage of the Fourth of July click here: https://t.co/5AktcCugqF pic.twitter.com/cPmARXsoGi
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) July 5, 2022
KNBC added that the fireworks didn’t help air quality:
“Video from NewsChopper4 shows a barrage of pops and flashes throughout Los Angeles. The fireworks displays—both legal and illegal—went on for hours Monday night, leaving the region blanketed in a smoky haze.”
Watch: Fourth of July Fireworks Light Up Los Angeles https://t.co/MDH5Le61w1
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) July 5, 2022
KTTV anchor Marla Tellez sent out this video recorded off a monitor with a warning to viewers:
“Live from Skyfox 8:45p 💥 🚁 something tells me Los Angeles city and county fire and police are going to be very busy tonight 😱. Please be safe out there!”
Live from Skyfox 8:45p 💥 🚁
something tells me Los Angeles city and county fire and police are going to be very busy tonight 😱Please be safe out there! pic.twitter.com/CKEN5oSECY
— MarlaTellez (@MarlaTellez) July 5, 2022