Mudcat Festival fireworks tentatively allowed to proceed while county-wide burn ban remains in effect

The county-wide burn ban issued by the Haldimand County Fire Department on June 7 remains in effect due to the current conditions impacting Ontario. The ban includes recreational and non-recreational fires along with the use of family fireworks.

After careful review and consideration, the Haldimand County Fire Department has determined that the Dunnville Mudcat Festival’s professional fireworks display set for this weekend will be excluded from the ban and allowed to proceed, conditional on weather.

The Fire Department and County staff undertook an extensive evaluation of the situation that included site visits, assessments, discussions with the professional fireworks vendor, reviews of the vendor’s fire safety plan, and the implementation of a number of precautionary fire watch/prevention measures in conjunction with the Mudcat Festival Committee.

“Our number one priority remains community safety,” remarks Fire Chief Jason Gallagher. “This was not a decision we made lightly and we will continue to monitor the situation right up until the event and won’t hesitate to reverse the decision should conditions change. But as of right now, with the support of senior staff and Council, we’re comfortable with the fireworks display proceeding as planned.”

Residents are advised to keep an eye on the County website and social media for any updates regarding the event should sub-optimal weather (e.g. high winds, etc.) result in the cancellation of the fireworks display.

For more information on fire safety in Haldimand County, visit the Fire Department website.