Vancouver police are worried camera-mounted drones flying between firework blasts at the Celebration of Light this weekend could put onlookers’ safety at risk.

Video from just such a stunt went viral earlier this month, and has already been viewed more than 9.5 million times on YouTube.

But as breathtaking as the footage may be, Police Chief Jim Chu said pulling it off puts the thousands of fireworks-watchers below at risk.

“With large crowds underneath and something like that falls from the sky, that’s a danger to the public,” Chu said. “It’s something we’ll have to look at carefully.”

It’s not just the possibility of a drone plummeting toward the public that has police concerned, either – the RCMP’s Air One helicopter will be also be flying above English Bay during the show.

Insp. Bryon Massie said the prospect of drones flying freely through the same airspace poses a real danger.

“You’re dealing with some behaviour of individuals that sort of lacks common sense,” Massie said.

It’s likely a Notice to Airmen will be issued to alert pilots of the potential hazard, he added.

Drone hobbyist Noel Rubin said it would be difficult to catch a drone-operator in a crowd, let alone spot a drone flying at night.

He’s sure copycats will be trying to recreate the popular YouTube fireworks video, but said he’d never put his own equipment into such dangerous skies.

“There’s a high chance they’ll lose their machines and these things aren’t cheap,” Rubin said.

Vancouver police are also urging fireworks crowds to respect city bylaws. Drinking in public can carry a $230 fine, and smoking in a park or on the seawall can cost $250.

The Celebration of Light runs for three nights, on July 26, July 30 and Aug. 2.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson