Fireworks allowed on fewer days under new Innisfil bylaw
Simcoe.com
Sept. 28, 2016
By Rick Vanderline
Responding to residents’ complaints, the fire department has cut the number of days residents can light up the sky with their colourful displays.
Under the old bylaw passed in 2010, fireworks were allowed five days before and after Canada Day and Victoria Day.
“That ultimately allowed for 11 consecutive days of setting off fireworks, which often resulted in numerous complaints from residents,” Fire Chief Jon Pegg said.
Pegg said five-total consecutive days of fireworks should be enough time to allow celebrations but doesn’t allow ongoing nightly displays that could last 11 days.
Other additions to the bylaw include:
- Not allowing fireworks when wind speeds exceed 40 km-h;
- Fireworks must be set off at least 8 meters from the nearest structure, including buildings, sheds, trailers and vehicles.
The fire department has also outlawed the use of flying lanterns, which have sparked fires in other jurisdictions.
Flying Lanterns are small hot air balloons usually made of paper that have a small opening at the bottom that houses a small fire.
“These devices rise into the sky and are capable of floating a significant distance before all material has been burnt,” Pegg said.
However, rocket propelled fireworks have not be banned under the new bylaw.
Coun. Stan Daurio called for the high-flying devices to be outlawed.
“Most other municipalities don’t allow the rocket-propelled type because they travel too far,” Daurio said.
But the majority of council did not back Daurio’s request.
“I think we should try these new changes first and see how it goes and we can always change it later,” Mayor Gord Wauchope said.
Meanwhile, actually enforcing the fireworks bylaw continues to remain the biggest challenge.
“It’s very difficult unless you actually catch people setting them off when and where they aren’t supposed to,” Pegg said.
Educating users remains the best way to ensure fireworks are set off safely, he said.
