Christina Lake Fireworks Bylaw - now in effect
Last year we invited Christina Lake residents to provide feedback about the possibility of regulating fireworks in Electoral Area C/Christina Lake in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB).
Based on that feedback and direction from the Electoral Area C/Christina Lake director, staff applied for an Order-in-Council from the Province of BC, which gives regional districts the authority to regulate the discharge of fireworks. Granted that authority, a bylaw was drafted and adopted by the Board of Directors at its April 26, 2023 meeting. The fireworks bylaw is now in effect.
To read the bylaw, see the document to the right of this page.
Highlights of the bylaw are (read the full bylaw to the right):
- permits are now required to discharge fireworks
- permits will only be issued for the following days, at the discretion of the Fire Chief:
- January 1st
- July 1st
- July 4th
- October 31st
- December 31st
- permits may be submitted for special events but require approval from the Board of Directors
- permits must be applied for through the Christina Lake Fire Department
- fireworks may not be sold or purchased in Christina Lake (vendors will have up to one year to comply with this regulation)
- no person shall discharge fireworks within 500 metres of a livestock property
- there is no charge for a permit
The bylaw will be enforced.
For more information, please refer to the bylaw to the right under "Bylaw."
If you have questions, please ask in the box below. We'll answer them as soon as we can.
Last year we invited Christina Lake residents to provide feedback about the possibility of regulating fireworks in Electoral Area C/Christina Lake in the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB).
Based on that feedback and direction from the Electoral Area C/Christina Lake director, staff applied for an Order-in-Council from the Province of BC, which gives regional districts the authority to regulate the discharge of fireworks. Granted that authority, a bylaw was drafted and adopted by the Board of Directors at its April 26, 2023 meeting. The fireworks bylaw is now in effect.
To read the bylaw, see the document to the right of this page.
Highlights of the bylaw are (read the full bylaw to the right):
- permits are now required to discharge fireworks
- permits will only be issued for the following days, at the discretion of the Fire Chief:
- January 1st
- July 1st
- July 4th
- October 31st
- December 31st
- permits may be submitted for special events but require approval from the Board of Directors
- permits must be applied for through the Christina Lake Fire Department
- fireworks may not be sold or purchased in Christina Lake (vendors will have up to one year to comply with this regulation)
- no person shall discharge fireworks within 500 metres of a livestock property
- there is no charge for a permit
The bylaw will be enforced.
For more information, please refer to the bylaw to the right under "Bylaw."
If you have questions, please ask in the box below. We'll answer them as soon as we can.
Questions & Comments
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Share I tried several times to apply for a fireworks permit but no one answers the phone at the fire department, and no one seems to be available in person. Is there another way to apply perhaps online? on Facebook Share I tried several times to apply for a fireworks permit but no one answers the phone at the fire department, and no one seems to be available in person. Is there another way to apply perhaps online? on Twitter Share I tried several times to apply for a fireworks permit but no one answers the phone at the fire department, and no one seems to be available in person. Is there another way to apply perhaps online? on Linkedin Email I tried several times to apply for a fireworks permit but no one answers the phone at the fire department, and no one seems to be available in person. Is there another way to apply perhaps online? link
I tried several times to apply for a fireworks permit but no one answers the phone at the fire department, and no one seems to be available in person. Is there another way to apply perhaps online?
Danny De Broder asked 12 months agoThank you for drawing this to our attention - I did check with the Fire Chief at Christina Lake and there were no missed cell calls or emails for firework permits. Did you use the contact details on our Christina Lake Fire Rescue website page? (https://rdkb.com/Public-Safety/Fire-Rescue/Christina-Lake-Fire-Rescue).
We have added the application form for the permit to this Join the Conversation Page on the right hand side of the page under documents and will add it to our CL Fire Rescue Page too. Please email your completed application to clfdchief@rdkb.com or drop it off at the Christina Lake Fire Department. We are also adding our duty officer cell number to that contact page: 250-442-9788 if you need an additional contact number to follow it up.
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Share l would like a breakdown of how much of my ever increasing (relative) share of the tax dollars you you actually spend on each community. Other than regulatory and general grandiose project what funds have directly been allocated,/spent on residents of my area Big Sheep Creek? on Facebook Share l would like a breakdown of how much of my ever increasing (relative) share of the tax dollars you you actually spend on each community. Other than regulatory and general grandiose project what funds have directly been allocated,/spent on residents of my area Big Sheep Creek? on Twitter Share l would like a breakdown of how much of my ever increasing (relative) share of the tax dollars you you actually spend on each community. Other than regulatory and general grandiose project what funds have directly been allocated,/spent on residents of my area Big Sheep Creek? on Linkedin Email l would like a breakdown of how much of my ever increasing (relative) share of the tax dollars you you actually spend on each community. Other than regulatory and general grandiose project what funds have directly been allocated,/spent on residents of my area Big Sheep Creek? link
l would like a breakdown of how much of my ever increasing (relative) share of the tax dollars you you actually spend on each community. Other than regulatory and general grandiose project what funds have directly been allocated,/spent on residents of my area Big Sheep Creek?
ntuff asked almost 2 years agoPlease contact your Area Director and she will be happy to discuss the services that are provided in your area.
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Share What is the RDBK doing about planning for rural cell phone service in area without it e.g. Big Sheep Creek on Facebook Share What is the RDBK doing about planning for rural cell phone service in area without it e.g. Big Sheep Creek on Twitter Share What is the RDBK doing about planning for rural cell phone service in area without it e.g. Big Sheep Creek on Linkedin Email What is the RDBK doing about planning for rural cell phone service in area without it e.g. Big Sheep Creek link
What is the RDBK doing about planning for rural cell phone service in area without it e.g. Big Sheep Creek
ntuff asked almost 2 years agoThe Regional District is not responsible for the provision of cell phone service. That is the responsibility of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission as well as wireless telephone providers.
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Share I personally love the fireworks the Fire Dept puts on and would welcome a few more times in the year when this happens. It does make me wonder what people are thinking when they start shooting them off in the middle of a severe drought... doesn't the smoke in the air from forest fires send enough of a signal that this is not a good time to be doing this? Permitting would certainly help people to be more responsible as to when and where they enjoy fireworks. They should be a thing of joy and celebration, not something that brings fear of forest fires to our community. on Facebook Share I personally love the fireworks the Fire Dept puts on and would welcome a few more times in the year when this happens. It does make me wonder what people are thinking when they start shooting them off in the middle of a severe drought... doesn't the smoke in the air from forest fires send enough of a signal that this is not a good time to be doing this? Permitting would certainly help people to be more responsible as to when and where they enjoy fireworks. They should be a thing of joy and celebration, not something that brings fear of forest fires to our community. on Twitter Share I personally love the fireworks the Fire Dept puts on and would welcome a few more times in the year when this happens. It does make me wonder what people are thinking when they start shooting them off in the middle of a severe drought... doesn't the smoke in the air from forest fires send enough of a signal that this is not a good time to be doing this? Permitting would certainly help people to be more responsible as to when and where they enjoy fireworks. They should be a thing of joy and celebration, not something that brings fear of forest fires to our community. on Linkedin Email I personally love the fireworks the Fire Dept puts on and would welcome a few more times in the year when this happens. It does make me wonder what people are thinking when they start shooting them off in the middle of a severe drought... doesn't the smoke in the air from forest fires send enough of a signal that this is not a good time to be doing this? Permitting would certainly help people to be more responsible as to when and where they enjoy fireworks. They should be a thing of joy and celebration, not something that brings fear of forest fires to our community. link
I personally love the fireworks the Fire Dept puts on and would welcome a few more times in the year when this happens. It does make me wonder what people are thinking when they start shooting them off in the middle of a severe drought... doesn't the smoke in the air from forest fires send enough of a signal that this is not a good time to be doing this? Permitting would certainly help people to be more responsible as to when and where they enjoy fireworks. They should be a thing of joy and celebration, not something that brings fear of forest fires to our community.
longtimelaker asked about 3 years agoThank you for your feedback!
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Share There is a time and place for fireworks, and we support the regulation of them. With fire risks as high as they have been these past few years and people not understanding (or choosing to ignore) the risk associated with firing them off even with knowing there are fire bans in place, permits for use and fines for use without permits may be the only way to protect our homes and community. on Facebook Share There is a time and place for fireworks, and we support the regulation of them. With fire risks as high as they have been these past few years and people not understanding (or choosing to ignore) the risk associated with firing them off even with knowing there are fire bans in place, permits for use and fines for use without permits may be the only way to protect our homes and community. on Twitter Share There is a time and place for fireworks, and we support the regulation of them. With fire risks as high as they have been these past few years and people not understanding (or choosing to ignore) the risk associated with firing them off even with knowing there are fire bans in place, permits for use and fines for use without permits may be the only way to protect our homes and community. on Linkedin Email There is a time and place for fireworks, and we support the regulation of them. With fire risks as high as they have been these past few years and people not understanding (or choosing to ignore) the risk associated with firing them off even with knowing there are fire bans in place, permits for use and fines for use without permits may be the only way to protect our homes and community. link
There is a time and place for fireworks, and we support the regulation of them. With fire risks as high as they have been these past few years and people not understanding (or choosing to ignore) the risk associated with firing them off even with knowing there are fire bans in place, permits for use and fines for use without permits may be the only way to protect our homes and community.
Ed Na asked about 3 years agoThank you for your input!
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Share We enjoy fireworks but also understand possible adverse affects. We would support regulation to the effect of issuing permits or limiting fireworks to specific days of celebration, and in accordance with fire regulations. on Facebook Share We enjoy fireworks but also understand possible adverse affects. We would support regulation to the effect of issuing permits or limiting fireworks to specific days of celebration, and in accordance with fire regulations. on Twitter Share We enjoy fireworks but also understand possible adverse affects. We would support regulation to the effect of issuing permits or limiting fireworks to specific days of celebration, and in accordance with fire regulations. on Linkedin Email We enjoy fireworks but also understand possible adverse affects. We would support regulation to the effect of issuing permits or limiting fireworks to specific days of celebration, and in accordance with fire regulations. link
We enjoy fireworks but also understand possible adverse affects. We would support regulation to the effect of issuing permits or limiting fireworks to specific days of celebration, and in accordance with fire regulations.
MH asked about 3 years agoThank you for your input, we appreciate it!
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Share Yes to fireworks. Keep blasting. Permits won’t work when no one around to enforce. on Facebook Share Yes to fireworks. Keep blasting. Permits won’t work when no one around to enforce. on Twitter Share Yes to fireworks. Keep blasting. Permits won’t work when no one around to enforce. on Linkedin Email Yes to fireworks. Keep blasting. Permits won’t work when no one around to enforce. link
Yes to fireworks. Keep blasting. Permits won’t work when no one around to enforce.
Westlake asked about 3 years agoHello, our intent is to have our firefighting personnel and our bylaw enforcement officer enforce any regulations. The RCMP could also be empowered to do this.
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Share I have a comment, not a question. on Facebook Share I have a comment, not a question. on Twitter Share I have a comment, not a question. on Linkedin Email I have a comment, not a question. link
I have a comment, not a question.
Tanis asked about 3 years agoHello! Please feel free to submit your comment here or email to corporate@rdkb.com.
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Share I am rather concerned about how the voting question is worded. I hope that "supporting regulation" of fireworks is not to be impled to mean supporting banning it. I would think increasing the visibility around the fact that when there is a fireban then fireworks are not allowed should be sufficient. I do not support regulations that prevent people from the safe enjoyment of things like fireworks. Don't we already have enough regulations in our world? I would also be willing to donate to additional fire department coordinated events so even more people can enjoy this on a larger scale in a safe way. I have been in Sandpoint for their July 4th event over the water and it is amazing. Being respectful of firebans it would be great to see events on long weekends in May, July 1 and maybe Thanksgiving in addition to the Halloween event. Thank you on Facebook Share I am rather concerned about how the voting question is worded. I hope that "supporting regulation" of fireworks is not to be impled to mean supporting banning it. I would think increasing the visibility around the fact that when there is a fireban then fireworks are not allowed should be sufficient. I do not support regulations that prevent people from the safe enjoyment of things like fireworks. Don't we already have enough regulations in our world? I would also be willing to donate to additional fire department coordinated events so even more people can enjoy this on a larger scale in a safe way. I have been in Sandpoint for their July 4th event over the water and it is amazing. Being respectful of firebans it would be great to see events on long weekends in May, July 1 and maybe Thanksgiving in addition to the Halloween event. Thank you on Twitter Share I am rather concerned about how the voting question is worded. I hope that "supporting regulation" of fireworks is not to be impled to mean supporting banning it. I would think increasing the visibility around the fact that when there is a fireban then fireworks are not allowed should be sufficient. I do not support regulations that prevent people from the safe enjoyment of things like fireworks. Don't we already have enough regulations in our world? I would also be willing to donate to additional fire department coordinated events so even more people can enjoy this on a larger scale in a safe way. I have been in Sandpoint for their July 4th event over the water and it is amazing. Being respectful of firebans it would be great to see events on long weekends in May, July 1 and maybe Thanksgiving in addition to the Halloween event. Thank you on Linkedin Email I am rather concerned about how the voting question is worded. I hope that "supporting regulation" of fireworks is not to be impled to mean supporting banning it. I would think increasing the visibility around the fact that when there is a fireban then fireworks are not allowed should be sufficient. I do not support regulations that prevent people from the safe enjoyment of things like fireworks. Don't we already have enough regulations in our world? I would also be willing to donate to additional fire department coordinated events so even more people can enjoy this on a larger scale in a safe way. I have been in Sandpoint for their July 4th event over the water and it is amazing. Being respectful of firebans it would be great to see events on long weekends in May, July 1 and maybe Thanksgiving in addition to the Halloween event. Thank you link
I am rather concerned about how the voting question is worded. I hope that "supporting regulation" of fireworks is not to be impled to mean supporting banning it. I would think increasing the visibility around the fact that when there is a fireban then fireworks are not allowed should be sufficient. I do not support regulations that prevent people from the safe enjoyment of things like fireworks. Don't we already have enough regulations in our world? I would also be willing to donate to additional fire department coordinated events so even more people can enjoy this on a larger scale in a safe way. I have been in Sandpoint for their July 4th event over the water and it is amazing. Being respectful of firebans it would be great to see events on long weekends in May, July 1 and maybe Thanksgiving in addition to the Halloween event. Thank you
cruttan asked about 3 years agoThank you very much for your feedback. The intent of the regulation is to permit the use of fireworks through a permit process. The Province of BC has the authority to ban fireworks in the case of extreme fire hazard.
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Share Who will enforce the new rules of unauthorized fireworks? Fire Chief? Bylaw? RCMP? All Agencies? How quickly can agencies respond to present an alleged fine which should be substantial. One time fireworks per year monitored by the Fire Dept is a good event! on Facebook Share Who will enforce the new rules of unauthorized fireworks? Fire Chief? Bylaw? RCMP? All Agencies? How quickly can agencies respond to present an alleged fine which should be substantial. One time fireworks per year monitored by the Fire Dept is a good event! on Twitter Share Who will enforce the new rules of unauthorized fireworks? Fire Chief? Bylaw? RCMP? All Agencies? How quickly can agencies respond to present an alleged fine which should be substantial. One time fireworks per year monitored by the Fire Dept is a good event! on Linkedin Email Who will enforce the new rules of unauthorized fireworks? Fire Chief? Bylaw? RCMP? All Agencies? How quickly can agencies respond to present an alleged fine which should be substantial. One time fireworks per year monitored by the Fire Dept is a good event! link
Who will enforce the new rules of unauthorized fireworks? Fire Chief? Bylaw? RCMP? All Agencies? How quickly can agencies respond to present an alleged fine which should be substantial. One time fireworks per year monitored by the Fire Dept is a good event!
George asked about 3 years agoThe plan would be to have members of the Christina Lake fire department enforce any regulations that might come forward. Our bylaw officer would also be empowered to do this. We want to educate and achieve compliance firstly while also ensuring safety. Thank you for your question.
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FAQs
- Why does the RDKB want to regulate fireworks?
- Is there a cost to obtain a permit?
- How old must a person be to apply for a permit.
- On which days can fireworks be discharged with a permit?
- What if I'm having a special occasion and I want to set off fireworks?
- Will I be able to buy and/or sell fireworks in Christina Lake?
- How far in advance of setting off the fireworks do I have to apply for a permit?
- Are there any measures in place to protect livestock from fireworks?
- How do I report a violation of the fireworks bylaw?
- What happens if my fireworks cause a fire and the fire department has to respond?
Who's Listening
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Phone 250-368-0225 Email corporate@rdkb.com -
Phone 250-447-6611 Email jgeary@rdkb.com
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