Vancouver's annual fireworks show is ready to blast off, but with fire risk in the city still rated “extreme,” spectators are being reminded to be mindful of the danger.
“It’s usually human error that causes the big problems,” said Joe Foster, assistant chief of emergency management for Vancouver Fire and Rescue.
Foster told CTV News the risk was left at extreme specifically because of the Honda Celebration of Light -- the annual fireworks competition that begins Saturday night and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to downtown Vancouver.
Though the fireworks themselves have been deemed safe, there are concerns that people in the crowd could set off a blaze -- either by smoking or using barbecues.
“If you are going to smoke, go to a designated smoking area,” Foster said. “And make sure it's put out and properly and extinguished.”
The fireworks are set to begin at 10 p.m., with a display by Team China. Additional displays will be held on July 29 -- by Team Brazil -- and Aug. 1 -- by Team Canada.
With files from the Canadian Press and CTV Vancouver’s Sarah MacDonald
