Why You Don't Want to Light a Sky Lantern

From the city of San Clemente:

Sky lanterns are very popular for weddings and other ceremonial uses and pose a significant fire hazard if they were to drift into wildland areas. The lanterns are made of oiled rice paper with a bamboo frame, materials that can easily catch on fire.

A candle or wax fuel cell is used with the device and the lit flame heats the inside of the lantern, causing it to rise into the air. The city of San Clemente has recently received reports of sky lantern sightings near the beach. Due to the serious fire safety threat they pose, sky lanterns are prohibited by the city of San Clemente Municipal Code Section 8.16.050.

Wind can affect the sky lantern, blowing the sides, forcing the hot air out and sending the flaming lantern back to the ground creating the potential for a fire. These lanterns have the potential to drop onto a rooftop, field, trees or power lines before the flame is fully extinguished.

The Orange County Fire Authority provides an exception to the code for those desiring to use sky lanterns for an event, although requires a permit be obtained from OCFA which provides details for how sky lanterns will be used and instructions for safety.

Upon approval by the Fire Code Official, sky lanterns may be used as necessary for ceremonies providing that adequate safeguards have been taken as approved. For more information, contact Kirk Wells, OCFA Division Chief at (949) 347-2273.

PHOTO Patch file photo.