Between Monday October 20 and Wednesday October 22, 2025, the City of Calgary responded to numerous fireworks related incidents, including two concerning residential fires:

Calgary Police Service

Received at least 167 calls related to fireworks complaints with the majority of complaints coming from the communities of Redstone, Cornerstone, Skyview Ranch, Cityscape, Saddle Ridge, Taradale and Martindale.

Emergency Management and Community Safety (EMCS)

Business Safety inspected 75 businesses and found that most were complying with firework bylaws.Three charges were issued to businesses for selling fireworks without a permit.Community Safety Peace Officers handed out one ticket for discharging a firework and 32 verbal warnings.Roughly 60 pounds of fireworks were voluntarily surrendered or abandoned when people saw Community Safety officers and fled.29 calls to 311 related to fireworks/noise

 Calgary Fire Department

Fire crews responded to a vehicle fire in the 1100 block of Cornerstone Way N.E. at around 9:15 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025. On arrival fire crews found a pickup truck on fire with visible flames and smoke coming from the front hood of the truck. The fire was contained to the vehicle and did not spread to any other structures or property. While no injuries were reported, there is an estimated to be over $30,000 worth of damage. Fire crews reported that residents were setting off fireworks prior to the fire starting.  A CFD Fire Investigator attended the scene and stated that the fire appears to have originated in the wheel well of the truck and believes that a lit portion of the fireworks went into the wheel well and started the fire. The CPS was called and also attended the scene.On Tuesday October 21, 2025, at around11:55 p.m., fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 7100 block of 80 Avenue N.E. A ladder truck was first to arrive on scene and fire crews observed flames on a fourth-floor balcony of a four-story, multi-unit large residential complex and called a working fire. The ladder truck was setup to access and extinguish the fire while another crew gained entry to the building and accessed the unit and balcony from the interior. Fire crews found two people inside the impacted unit with no injuries and no awareness of the fire on their balcony. The fire was limited to the balcony and no smoke or fire entered the unit. Crews found a smoldering planter pot on the balcony which appears to be where the fire originated. Crews checked for hot spots and confirmed that the fire was out and there was no further risk of fire. The building’s fire alarm was activated and reset by CFD after the incident. No occupants were displaced. A CFD Investigator attended the scene and reported evidence of fireworks landing on the balcony where the fire started. Neighbours reported hearing and seeing fireworks being set off across the street.

The City of Calgary’s safety partners remind everyone that fireworks and pyrotechnics cannot be ignited or fired in Calgary except by a trained and certified professional with a fireworks permit. This includes consumer fireworks that have been purchased or ordered outside Calgary.

Use of fireworks, pyrotechnics or blasting without a permit is in violation of the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition) and City of Calgary bylaws and may result in fines or prosecutionIf you violate the fireworks bylaw, you may face penalties. These include fines based on the nature of the infraction:

o   Possession of fireworks without a permit: Minimum fine of $500.

o   Use of fireworks without a permit: Minimum fine of $250.

o   Sale of fireworks without a permit: Minimum fine of $250.

o   These fines are designed to protect our city from fire hazards and ensure that fireworks displays are conducted responsibly by trained professionals.

o   The City encourages anyone who observes fireworks going off to report their concerns to 311 and include details on neighbourhood/location.

Over the next several nights, Calgarians will see joint proactive education and enforcement teams in the community to help remind the public and enforce appropriate bylaws.

As you gather attending cultural events, lighting diyas or LED candles, creating rangoli and sharing food and gifts with loved ones, we ask that you do so in a meaningful way that is safe for everyone.

For more information, visit Calgary.ca/fireworks.

-30-

‘;