Niagara municipalities setting off different rules for fireworks

Your July 1 pyrotechnic celebration may be snuffed out depending where in Niagara you live.

Large municipal fireworks displays for Canada Day have been cancelled across the region. And so are many backyard displays.

Some local governments and their fire departments are banning sale or use of fireworks, while others are recommending residents stay away from celebrating the upcoming holiday with a few blasts.

In Welland, the sale of fireworks was banned across the city before the Victoria Day long weekend — but it’s not officially illegal to light them at your home, just frowned upon, said Welland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Chief Adam Eckhart.

“I have some concerns with the number of people coming together for those sorts of activities,” said Eckhart.

People who decide to set them off need to adhere to the city’s bylaws that urge safe usage and that they not be a nuisance after 11 p.m. — although rain is in the forecast.

In Pelham, neither sale nor use of consumer fireworks is permitted. A violation of these rules would spark a fine of $250.

Fire Chief Bob Lymburner said “there is no place to buy fireworks in Pelham,” so there isn’t much concern for any contraventions in that sense. But, he added, enforcing rules focused on residents setting them off is nearly impossible to do.

“We say there’s a ban, but there’s no way of controlling it. By the time we receive the complaint and respond, it will be over.”

There is no ban in place in Niagara Falls that disallows the use or sale of fireworks, but some restrictions, said captain of fire prevention Frank Deveraux.

Residents can only set off fireworks between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Canada Day and the day immediately preceding and the holiday. Also, no one under 18 can discharge fireworks except under the direct supervision of a person 21 or over. A contravention of these rules could result in a $2,000 fine, said Deveraux.

Consumer fireworks can be sold in Niagara Falls from May 5 to Sept. 15.

The City of Port Colborne stopped the sale of fireworks on May 18, but is not prohibiting their use on private property.

“This (sale ban) is being done in an effort to reduce risk in the community, including potential fires due to the mishandling of fireworks, and the number of complaint calls we receive from neighbours,” said a release from the city.

In Fort Erie, there is no ban on sale or use of fireworks — but bylaw staff will hand out fines if it results in a gathering that exceeds 10 people, said communications adviser Janine Tessmer.

In City of St. Catharines it’s OK to set off fireworks, but sales have been prohibited, said Maggie Riopelle, manager of corporate communications.

No bans have been imposed in Wainfleet, said Amber Dashwood, the mayor’s administrative assistant.