Council cancels Canada Day fireworks for fears of fire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Canada Day fireworks have been cancelled this year to protect residents amid wildfire season.

As of the May 26th regular council meeting, the City of Fort St. John council has made the decision to cancel the 2025 Canada Day fireworks celebration due to the recent weather and fire conditions. 

“With hotter, dryer and higher fire risk conditions becoming prevalent during spring and summer, it has become difficult to reliably plan for Canada Day fireworks displays,” the staff report stated. 

City staff also cited fire restrictions implemented by the BC Wildfire Service as of May 16th in the decision.

Category two and three fires in parts of the Prince George Fire Centre region, which includes the Peace River district, are restricted. 

Category two fires burn material in one or two piles not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width and on stubble or grass over an area not exceeding 0.2 hectares. 

Category three fires are open fires in three or more piles not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width, burning one or more windrows not exceeding 200 metres in length and 15 metres in width and on stubble or grass over an area of more than 0.2 hectares. 

These restrictions would result in the cancellation of the fireworks show if still in effect on July 1st. 

As such, the council voted unanimously to reallocate the budgeted funds to other services and celebrations in the city. These included enhancing the New Year’s Eve fireworks display, incorporating additional park and parade activities and funding the city’s micro-grant program. 

Earlier this month a wildfire ignited in the Fish Creek Community Forest, quickly growing to 56 hectares before being extinguished. 

The wildfire is no longer listed on the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS)’s map because it has been extinguished, and an investigation into the blaze determined it was not deliberately set. 

BCWS has issued warnings for areas near Fort St. John that are considered to be at “high risk” for wildfire activity.