'Plainly stupid': BC mayor blasts party-goers after brush fire sparked by fireworks

A large brush fire at a Nanaimo, B.C., park on Friday night was ignited by fireworks during a party with around 200 "young people."

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog condemned the event, saying they should be "ashamed."

“(It’s) very disturbing and very upsetting. Given the consciousness around climate change … around the dry summer conditions, anyone, and I don’t care how young you are, setting off fireworks at one of our most beloved public parks (which) is not easily accessible by our firefighters is just plainly stupid,” he said.

It took firefighters roughly six hours to battle the brush blaze, which was fast-moving due to wind and dry conditions.

Luckily, firefighters said the fire was on a tied island and did not spread.

#GlobalNews #BC

[FayDougall]

Being young is not an excuse for being stupid or irresponsible.If booze was involved, then they were over 19 yrs and old enough to know I guess STUPID has no age limit. If the authorities find out who these people are, they should be made to do community service...WITH THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. Maybe if they were experience first hand what first responder's go through, they would think twice.

[friskycrewgerrusty]

The 200 individuals need to be charge, as well as being forced to become volunteer firefighters for the next 3 years as restitution, who's with me?

[jazzcats]

200 young people, party, beach, alcohol, fireworks...what could possibly go wrong!

[WaningGibbous]

My question is why is every little store in small towns selling fireworks? We have them for sale at the gas station in falkland, seems maybe a good idea not to sell them in a fire ban.

[cardiogirl]

These are typical examples of the entitled children that have been raised to think they're special and unique and can do what they want at the expense of everyone else.

[cyndy-synchrotherapybishop]

What about the fines and charges the province has in place for starting fires?
Why are they not being charged?

[ralliartstyle]

This is our youth !! 🤦🏻 we’re screwed.

[NeoRipshaft]

The educational bit really hit me - no matter where you live in Canada, outdoor fire safety really should be a part of your basic education. I remember getting some indoor fire safety lessons in my education but I think all of my outdoor fire safety lessons were only included tangentially as part of field trips or were learned from friends and family. When it comes to protecting public resources like our highly combustible forests and plains - we really need to have these basics taught.

[dustinjohn]

Just check your kids' google maps you can see where they were all along

[vancitye]

Fireworks?! I've never understood why they're for sale everywhere. I'm not surprised by the lack of maturity from our youth. That generation has never been taught about personal accountability because they've been babied their entire lives.

[larrygeran]

Who is going to get fined for this? This can’t be just a slap on the wrist.

[me-rome]

Some of those young people will learn from this ! We have all done things that we wished we would never had done ! That is a big party 200 people where was law enforcement I bet it is not the first time a party was held there so why no law enforcement doing check up on party spots ! I live in a small town we had parties all the time and we didn’t have a close police force nearby but we would see them show up from time to time and they would break up the party!

[explore_off_road]

If they are going to charge people for this, they should go all the way down the line. Kids that brought them and lit them. There is an age limit to buy them, so the parents as well ... ANNNND! the store that sold them! They shouldn't even be selling them in this weather. Pretty sure they know what is going to happen with them.

[spencermatthews]

All these little bastards video everything! I'm sure someone has proof of which tool set off the fireworks!

[JosephMelesh]

…. Unfortunately it all comes down to the judge and how he/she chooses to hold people accountable. And too many judges have gone astray.

[lmarchand]

Selfish, inconsiderate... and stupid. I like the other commenter's community service idea with the Fire Department. Let them see what kind of harm they caused, who they put at risk. Plus, of course, the elementary "You made the mess? You clean it up." Then they can also replant some trees or other destroyed vegetation.

[inktownfishing]

I'm just going to say it! If alcohol wasn't involved, maybe these individuals would of retained some common sense!

[Zhe-Zhe]

Thank you, Mayor, for using the appropriate language in an era where we can't say certain words because someone might get offended. Question...will there be an investigation so the appropriate people will be charged? How lucky that no firefighters lost their lives. Sadly, we probably cannot say the same for the innocent little critters and animals that could not escape the terror.

[larrygeran]

It has been dry for years, there is no excuse for this

[rei_cirith]

200 young people?! WHAT?! How is something of that size happening without anyone taking notice and shutting it down?!