Washington briefly became the city with the worst air quality on earth after the 40-minute show. Officials issued a Code Red alert, warning the air was "unhealthy for seniors, kids, people with medical conditions."
Emergency responders recorded 96 patient contacts and 40 hospital transports from the National Mall.
The morning after, workers were wading waist-deep in the Reflecting Pool to scoop out burned debris floating across the murky green water. Scorched fireworks casings and netting were piled along the walkway by the dozen.