RDN board, fire chiefs support report on banning fireworks sales

Rachelle Stein-Wotten

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

A report on banning fireworks sales in Regional District of Nanaimo electoral areas will be developed following support from the region’s fire chiefs.

The fire services committee passed a motion in May that staff prepare a report with options for regulating the sale of consumer grade fireworks within District 69 and District 68 as well as enforcement and cost recovery options for prohibiting discharge of consumer fireworks. The RDN board of directors supported the recommendation with seven directors opposed.

“The [fire] chiefs at the meeting that brought this forward noted longstanding drought and risk of fire as a result of fireworks,” Electoral Area A director Jessica Stanley said at the June 25 board meeting. “Because the chiefs did ask for this, and I didn’t hear a dissenting voice among the chiefs, … I think we need to listen to the experts on this.”

In the past, the RDN board has directed staff to write similar reports, as recently as 2021. Because of that, there’s no need for another report, directors opposed to the motion said.

“It’s becoming an increasing issue,” Electoral Area B director and board chair Vanessa Craig, who voted in favour of the report, said.

“I imagine it will build on previous reports and provide any new information.”

Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department Chief Will Sprogis supported the motion for a report at the fire services committee.

“We just want to ban the sale of fireworks,” Sprogis told the Sounder in August. No sales are presently on the island, according to Sprogis, but there have been in previous years.

Fires started by fireworks “are a real concern,” Sprogis said, for structures as well as forested lands.

“We’ve responded to numerous calls in and around Canada Day, not this year but in previous years, when we had a prohibition in effect. It’s a real risk to the island.”

Gabriola’s fire risk rating as of Aug. 11 was Extreme. In the Gabriola Fire Improvement District, permissible discharge of fireworks is weather dependent. When the risk hits high early shift, all fireworks are banned, Sprogis said. This year the ban went into effect on the May long weekend when the province imposed a ban.

When the RDN report will be delivered is still undetermined, staff said in August. The fire services committee meets again on Sept. 4.