Most regions require fireworks notifications for Venetian festivals

Most of Finland requires private individuals to notify the local rescue authority before setting off fireworks during the upcoming Venetian festival weekend, Yle reports. Some regions allow fireworks without a notification.

The Venetian festival tradition, which began on Finland’s west coast and has spread across much of the country, traditionally includes lanterns, outdoor fires and fireworks. It marks the end of the cottage season.

Under Finnish law, fireworks must be reported to the rescue authorities at least five days in advance when they are used outside the New Year period. Rescue services can make exceptions to the notification requirement.

Päijät-Häme introduced a notification requirement

In the Päijät-Häme region, the notification requirement was introduced this year because of disruptive behaviour by people setting off fireworks. The tradition was originally intended to take place near waterways and at cottages, but fireworks gradually became more common in urban areas as well.

“Year by year, the event began to develop into a general day of random explosions,” Marjo Oksanen, head of risk management at the Päijät-Häme Rescue Department, told Yle.

Oksanen also warned that using fireworks together with alcohol increases safety risks. At a minimum, the person setting off the fireworks should be sober, she said.

Rules and fees vary by region

Practices differ across Finland. In the Kanta-Häme region, for example, the notification requirement applies only in built-up areas.

The rescue services in Varsinais-Suomi, Satakunta, South Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia are reviewing this year whether allowing fireworks without a notification is working. If fireworks cause problems, those regions will introduce a notification requirement next year.

Notification fees are based on charges approved by regional councils. They reflect the estimated time needed to process applications and the salaries of the officials handling them, meaning the fees differ between wellbeing services counties.

Fireworks are prohibited everywhere if a wildfire warning or a warning of strong winds is in force.

By law, fireworks may be used without a notification on New Year’s Eve between 6pm and 2am. Rescue services can nevertheless deviate from this rule, for example during the Venetian festival.

Only a small number of notifications had been submitted in Päijät-Häme for the coming weekend. Kymenlaakso had received around ten, fewer than in previous years. Venetian festival celebrations are not a tradition in Åland, where notifications are submitted only occasionally.