YEOVIL fire chief Michael Toop has warned people about the dangers of setting off Sky Lanterns – better known as Chinese lanterns - and the risk they pose to farmer’s cattle and crops.
Sky lanterns are usually constructed of paper stretched over a wire frame, rather similar to a spherical paper lampshade. They contain a wax candle that enables the lantern to fly for up to 20 minutes. The lanterns when lit will rise for up to 20 minutes and can ascend to over a mile in the sky - where they will still be visible on a clear night until they disintegrate.
Research has shown that in some cases embers from the fuel cell can continue to glow for several minutes after the flames have gone out. There is also the very real possibility that hot, glowing embers can fall from the lantern as it flies and could land on people or animals.
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service’s Yeovil support group crew manager, Michael Toop, said: “There are particular areas of concern among farmers when lanterns are ignited near open fields full of standing dry crops, woodland, moorland, and barns, as well as being a potential hazard for starting a fire in residential areas especially properties with thatched roofs.”
Fire chiefs have joined forces with Glastonbury Festival guru Michael Eavis to highlight the problems caused by the lanterns.
“I would like to see them totally banned, I am surrounded by farmers and when Glastonbury festival takes place it’s Sky Lanterns they get angry about!” he said. “For several years now we have banned them being sold at the festival, but people still bring them on site within all their camping gear.”
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