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Some cities across the U.S. are opting for drone shows instead of fireworks this year to celebrate the Fourth of July, citing the impact traditional pyrotechnics have on the environment.

Salt Lake City and Boulder have joined cities like Lake Tahoe —which is celebrating its second annual drone show this year— substituting loud, bombastic rockets with the quieter, environmentally-friendly drones. 

Drone shows are aerial displays that use a fleet of drones —each fitted with brilliant LED lights— to create patterns, shapes and animated sceces in the sky. An alternative to traditional fireworks, the drones offer a customizable form of entertainment, according the drone company Sky Elements

Drone shows have an advantage over fireworks for communities concerned over forest fires and other environmental impacts, Rick Boss, the president of Sky Elements Drone Shows, told CBS News. Compared with fireworks, he added, drone shows present significantly less risk. 

“Less risk of fire, less risk of damage, less risk of injury,” he said. “When performing a drone show, we ensure no one is within our safety perimeter should a malfunction occur.”

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