Canada rockets and fire restrictions

Hoping someone can provide me some clarity on this.

Current fire restrictions are in place on open burning which includes fireworks, sky lanterns and incendiary targets.
I can't find any language that states whether this includes model rockets or if they are permissible along with small campfires.

Anyone?

Ok so the one thing I can find is Canadian firework regulations where Appendix 4 Fireworks classifications lists model rockets (item A4.3)

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/explosives/fireworks/9903#A43

Hi gwh

While rocketry is not fireworks, it has some of the same restrictions as fireworks and if you chat with Fire Chiefs they put rocketry square into that camp. We have been able to launch under advisory conditions with one fire chief but in another county with no bans or restriction we were not able to. So while you found the federal regulations it comes down to to the Fire Chief in the area (provincial) along with city, town or county bylaws. And there does not seem to be a way to get around a Fire Chief's decision.

I should state this is the case in Alberta at least with Fire Chief's, other provinces may have differing experiences

David

Thanks David, a local fire chief I talked to sounded on the fence about it but since the field I was looking at was out of city limits he didn't have any definitive opinion.
It sounds like I would need to check with the local regional district for their say.

I never ended up launching this past weekend since I couldn't sort this out ahead of time. Oh well, better than causing a big kerfuffle that looks bad on the hobby.

I was looking to see a listing of fire chiefs for BC and wow it is not easy. Unfortunately there are rule layers to launching, even for models with many of the local bylaws much more restrictive.

This might be adding more complexity than worth it to your launches but if the fire chief is on the fence, you might have an opportunity to educate. Showing there is a larger organization with safety rules be it CAR/ACF, NAR or TRA. I am not sure how your launches are setup but having some fire protection onsite goes over well. Taller launch pads, not close to the grass or ground are helpful.

David

In Ontario we have "The Office of the Fire Marshal" which on further searching discovered that there is one in every province. I would think that this is where CAR/ACF should be reaching out for support in establishing any regulating for our hobby. It just so happens that the Ontario Fire Marshals office is in my home town. I might go visit his/her office and inquiry for myself. All of my previous launch arrangements have been with the farmers who owns the land where I launch. His minimum requirement was that I have an extinguisher on hand when I launch. He also happens to be the deputy mayor of the township where I launch and a volunteer fire fighter.

Looks like we are in for a great weekend here but it has been anything but dry, can't imagine that our fire risk is anything like Alberta and BC.

As per British Columbia regs - All model rocketry becomes a high risk activity in areas with a posted fire danger rating of "high" or "extreme". No high risk activities are to occur during a fire ban. Our fire chief gives us permission for moderate risk or below especially with those Metal Storm and Skids. Fair enough. It is important to speak to the fire chief directly about model rocketry. This is what I did and I'm sure it will be a positive experience if you explain your position.

I would think that if there's an open fire ban, I would avoid launching. Obviously, it would depend on location. If you're launching somewhere there's very little combustible material, then it might be okay.

gwh said:

Hoping someone can provide me some clarity on this.

Current fire restrictions are in place on open burning which includes fireworks, sky lanterns and incendiary targets.
I can't find any language that states whether this includes model rockets or if they are permissible along with small campfires.

Anyone?

Click to expand...

I am not an expert on Canadian fire requirements, but a ban on open burning is a prohibition on campfires of any size anywhere else. When there is a burn ban our local club does not fly rockets. Having the local news talking about fire restrictions while going out and flying rockets is the kind of common sense and public perception failure that arouses public disdain and triggers additional regulations.

Bah...and today my city has issued a city-wide fire ban. This covers a large area and one of the fields that I liked to launch at. Just as I was starting to gain some momentum and excitement to finally launch something this season. Grrrr.