City of Cranbrook council last night contemplated the prohibition of the discharge of outdoor display fireworks from April 1 to October 31 annually.

However, after a discussion around a report filed by Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services (CFES) Chief Wayne Price, council directed administrative staff to look at ways of creating some exceptions and bring the report back to the council meeting of April 23.

“Over the past number of years, CFES has received requests for fireworks permits on Canada Day. Each year, weather and environmental conditions subject the planners of these events to unpredictable uncertainties as to whether a fireworks display can be safely presented,” stated the backgrounder for council prepared by Price.

“During the past several years, Canada Day fireworks has been cancelled on one occasion due to extremely dry weather conditions and the potential risk of wildfire. On other occasions the decision to launch fireworks was delayed until the final hours of the display due to weather and wind conditions. These types of scenarios place a lot of pressure on the event organizer, the display contractor and the fire official when there is an expectation from the general public that an event was scheduled to occur,” Price reported.

“CFES questions if there is a suitable location within the city where fireworks displays can be conducted without the possibility of last minute cancellation due to weather related conditions, specifically fire indexes or high winds. It is questionable that locations previously used for fireworks displays have adequate clear space that would guarantee no threat of wildfire or damage to private properties when conditions are dry and/or when conditions are unfavorable during summer months,” he said.

“It is recognized that the City of Cranbrook is highly prone to the risk of wildfire. As a result of the risk level, City of Cranbrook administration and fire department management have placed a high priority on wildfire mitigation and continue to work with the province and other stakeholders to minimize the risk to the community. A fire caused by a city sanctioned fireworks display may likely be viewed as somewhat irresponsible considering the known risk and potential consequences of wildfire,” Price warned.

“It should be noted that the prohibition period recommended by Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services corresponds with the prohibition period, prescribed in City of Cranbrook Fire Services Bylaw #3676 for open burning. The prohibition period in the Bylaw was established based on grass and brush fire response trends, which were identified in 2014,” the backgrounder concluded.

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