A reminder from Kamloops Fire and Rescue that fireworks are off limits this Halloween.

Chief Ken Uzeloc says the ban was put in place earlier this month after a warm and dry start to fall.

“We’ve had only a couple of millimetres of rain since the ban went into place on October 7, and we saw all weekend that we had some pretty significant wind, so it is still very dangerous to be using them because of the dry conditions,” Uzeloc said.

“We’ll be monitoring it. And anyone that phones to complain about fireworks being used, we will send crews out to investigate to make sure that if they have gone off, there are no remnants of any grassfires or interface fires starting.”

Uzeloc says while firefighters will take an education first approach, they will be prepared to fine people using fireworks this evening, if needed. People can be fined $250 fine for using, possessing, storing, or selling illegal fireworks without permission from Kamloops Fire and Rescue.

“Even from my place I heard some going off [this weekend] and I looked out and saw a fluttering of fireworks, and it stopped and you know 20 minutes , something would go off again,” Uzeloc said.

“[However], I was actually pleasantly surprised because we’ve had a lot of people checking where they can call if they do catch people using fireworks, so I think, in general, the community is pretty conscious about what could happen given the past few years with fires around the area, so they want to make sure things are safe as well.”

Fireworks were also off the table during Canada Day festivities in July because of concerns brought about by wildfires.

As well, the City is also looking at potentially restricting the sale of and use of fireworks within municipal limits.

Currently, the sale and use fireworks is only allowed for two weeks in a year, between Oct. 24 and Nov. 1 and again between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.