Edmonton firefighters put out three grass fires over the Diwali weekend. All three were linked to fireworks set off without a permit.
It happened the same weekend Edmonton tried something new: a free, permitted Diwali fireworks show at Mill Woods Park, meant to give families a safe place to watch.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) says it received 23 fireworks-related calls. Three needed crews to put out fires. The rest were passed to other teams for follow-up and investigation.
Where the fires were
Crews responded to grass fires near:
41 Avenue and 34 Street SW
34 Avenue and Meridian Street
34 Avenue and Calgary Trail
“Crews successfully contained the fires and protected surrounding properties,” EFRS said.
One of the fires came within a few metres of Tara Hoffman’s back fence in Ermineskin. She called for help when she saw the flames.
“I saw sparklers of white and red and my dog was barking and losing her mind,” Hoffman told CityNews. “She was actively trying to charge the fence, but also cowering and trying to get away.”
Doorbell camera video shared in a Mill Woods community group appears to show fireworks going off close to houses and starting small fires near a fence. People in the video rush over to stamp them out.
The new show at Mill Woods Park
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Mill Woods Park hosted the first United Edmonton Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas celebration. It was free, and it had food trucks, music, dancing and fire pits, with a fireworks finale at 8:30 p.m.
The Sifarish Network, a South Asian community organization, organized it with community partners and support from the City of Edmonton.
Getting fireworks out of backyards was a big part of the reason. Sifarish Network co-chair Raj Malhotra said the group asked the City for “a centralized location where fireworks could be enjoyed safely.” Co-chair Sunny Kakar said South Asian Edmontonians want to preserve their traditions “and share them with their neighbours.”
The City first looked at the idea this summer. Its community and public services committee weighed two options: a celebration at City Hall without fireworks, or a community-led display at Mill Woods Park. It went with Mill Woods.
Did the show cut down on backyard fireworks? It’s too early to say. The 23 calls show the problem didn’t go away, but there isn’t enough data yet to know what difference the show made.
Why it matters: last year’s fire
People in south Edmonton remember last year.
On Oct. 20, 2025, Edmonton police say fireworks launched from a backyard in Silver Berry sent sparks onto a row of townhomes near 25 Avenue and 24 Street. Fire investigators found the sparks lit combustible material on or near a garage.
Two townhomes were badly damaged. A car parked inside the garage was destroyed. Nobody was hurt.
Three men were charged with arson. The charges have not been proven in court.
“No permit. No fireworks. Light up your home, not your neighbour’s roof,” police said afterward.
Can you set off fireworks in your Edmonton backyard?
No. Celebrating at home doesn’t change the rules.
Inside Edmonton, only Natural Resources Canada-certified professionals with an approved EFRS permit can set off fireworks. Buying fireworks somewhere else, where it’s legal, doesn’t give you permission to use them in the city.
Getting a permit isn’t quick or casual:
An approved site, with a site map and the property owner’s permission
Proof of operator certification
Safety and emergency plans
At least $5 million in liability insurance
Up to 10 working days to process
Breaking the rules can mean a fine of up to $10,000, and criminal charges in serious cases. The $10,000 is the maximum, not the ticket every time.
“Fireworks can cause serious injuries and fires when not handled by professionals,” said Graeme McAlister of EFRS.
What Diwali is
Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and it’s been marked in India for thousands of years. Sikhs also mark Bandi Chhor Divas at the same time. The festival is about lights, sweets, prayer and family, and for many households, fireworks.
This year, the main day of Diwali was Sunday, Nov. 8. Many families celebrate over several days.
Calgary went further this year
Calgary had hundreds of fireworks complaints around Diwali last year, with more than 160 calls to police and fire crews sent to grass, vehicle and structure fires.
On Sept. 22, Calgary city council approved much steeper fines:
| Offence in Calgary | Old fine | New fine |
|---|---|---|
| Selling fireworks without authorization | $750 | $3,000 |
| Having fireworks in a public place | None | $1,000 |
| Setting off fireworks without a permit | $500 | $1,000 |
The new public-place offence lets officers step in before anything is lit. Personal fireworks are banned in Calgary, including ones bought outside the city or ordered online.
When the changes went to committee, Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal supported higher fines but said the bylaw shouldn’t single out people celebrating Diwali. The rules apply on every day of the year, whether it’s Canada Day, New Year’s Eve or Diwali.
The patchwork problem
Mill Woods community leader Varinder Bhullar says the real fix has to be province-wide.
“Our laws need to [be] consistent all over the province,” he told CityNews. “Doesn’t matter where you’re living. Our leaders need to work together. Don’t sell these fireworks unless they have permits.”
That’s the loophole. Fireworks are banned without a permit in Edmonton and Calgary, but they’re easy to buy just outside both cities.
Hoffman wants more focus on prevention. “We are having drier seasons,” she said. “There needs to be provisions in place so that we can prevent and do harm reduction.”
How to report fireworks in Edmonton
Fire, injury or immediate danger: 911
Illegal fireworks going off now: Edmonton police non-emergency line, 780-423-4567, or #377 from a mobile phone
Non-emergency fireworks concerns and bylaw complaints: 311 or the 311 app
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