There will be no fireworks over the Canada Day long weekend in Kamloops this year because of lingering drought conditions.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Scott Johnson says they will not be issuing permits for the sale or use of consumer fireworks this summer – which officially gets underway this Thursday – even though it has been a cooler spring, as vegetation in the area is “primed to burn.”

“Although it looks like it is wet and everything is great outside, it is still very dry and with some warm weather coming as well, it will take literally no time to dry everything out and we’ll be in a really bad situation again,” Johnson said on NL Newsday.

“Regardless of the amount of rain we might receive, residents should understand the extreme risk of fire in our city during the summer remains due to our desert-like environment. It only takes one spark to create disastrous consequences.”

The use of fireworks was already off-limits across the entire Kamloops Fire Centre after the BC Wildfire Service brought in a ban just before the May long weekend.

“Every year it seems that we get drier and drier and the risk gets larger and larger every year, so if things continue to trend that way, I could foresee this being a regular thing for sure,” Johnson added, about the potential for future fireworks bans.

“I don’t want to speculate at this point, if that is what will happen, but very likely.”

He said its possible that there could be a professional fireworks show, like there was last year, though its unlikely the City will be involved as it is planning its own drone light show on July 1.

“If a professional fireworks technician was to come in and apply for a permit with us, we would look at what that looks like and decide from there,” Johnson said.

“That is still an option but you have to have a certified fireworks technician to set them off.”

Johnson also says KFR wants people to be aware of the dangers of outdoor burning.

Open fires – including in backyards and on beaches – are banned throughout city limits around the year to “prevent potential wildfires and ensure the safety of our community and the environment.”

People found using, possessing, storing, or selling illegal fireworks without a valid permit may be fined $250. Those caught with open fires could be fined up to $500 under Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 10-37.