Outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx fired four Chinese employees for setting off fireworks in the Himalayas last month.
Footage of brightly colored fireworks resembling a “rising dragon” erupting over the lush Tibetan landscape has sparked environmental concerns and a boycott campaign.
Arc’teryx and Chinese fireworks artist Cai Guo-Qiang, who designed the show, later apologized.
Authorities in Tibet’s Shigachesi city said in a statement Wednesday that more officials had been investigated and warned. They added that Arc’teryx and Kai should provide compensation and help “restore the environment.”
Authorities said the fireworks, which lasted about a minute, affected about 30 hectares (74 acres) of grassland, causing limited short-term damage, but further monitoring was needed to assess the “ecological risk.”
“As a result of this incident, fireworks and plastic debris were left without being thoroughly cleaned,” the statement added.
“The momentary bright light and loud noise created by fireworks caused short-term disturbance to wildlife.”
The four dismissed officials include the secretary of the Gyantse County Communist Party, the head of public security, and two senior members of county and city-level environmental agencies.
Cai, the artist who curated the exhibition, is best known for his role in orchestrating the 2008 Beijing Olympics fireworks display. He said he would work with Tibetan authorities to help with local recovery.
Social media users, who said the actions went against Arc’teryx’s conservation-focused image, called for a boycott of the brand.
Arc’teryx was founded in 1989 and has more than 150 stores worldwide. It is currently owned by Anta Sports, a Hong Kong-listed fitness equipment company.
The company claimed the display was meant to promote local mountain culture, but said in its apology that it “goes against Arc’teryx values.” It also used biodegradable materials and said it would work with external organizations to assess the impact of the project.
