Pembroke cancels Canada Day fireworks as officials in Ottawa keep an eye on the smoke
CTV
Canadian Heritage is still planning to proceed with fireworks for the Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats, as smoky air continues to blanket Ottawa.
Canadian Heritage is planning to proceed with fireworks as part of the Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats, as smoky air continues to blanket Ottawa.
Organizers of all Canada Day fireworks displays are keeping an eye on the smoke forecast ahead of the July 1 holiday.
The Ottawa Fire Service has not raised any concerns about allowing fireworks to proceed from a fire safety perspective, the city said Friday afternoon. In Pembroke, the city has postponed the Canada Day fireworks in Riverside Park due to the fire hazard conditions.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Ottawa, warning, "high levels of air pollution due to smoke from forest fires is expected to continue today and possibly into Saturday."
The biggest Canada Day party in Ottawa will be at LeBreton Flats, where tens of thousands of people are expected to watch the fireworks at 10 p.m. Saturday. Canadian Heritage spokesperson Melanie Brault says as of Friday afternoon, they are still going ahead with the fireworks.
"We're continuously monitoring the situation, and if ever we have to make some modifications to our programming, as required by our public health authorities, then we will certainly do that," Brault told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal.
"Health and safety is the most important thing for everybody and so we're going to continue to monitor that situation."
