SKY LANTERN ADVISORY

"The Office of Fire Prevention and Control holds the opinion that sky lanterns meet the definition of Recreational Fires as defined in Section 302.1 of the Fire Code and consequently require constant attendance until the fire is extinguished as required in Sec. 307.5 of the Fire Code. Therefore, unless anchored or tethered, OFPC is of the opinion that sky lanterns cannot be constantly attended and thus present a violation of the Fire Code of New York State. Code information retrieved from a distribution of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. www.DHSES.GOV/OFPC For further information see: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23129276 http://wildfiretoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/SkyLantern_Map-5-27-2016.jpg "Sky lanterns were blamed for starting other fires just last month. One near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin burned 15 acres and another is thought to have ignited a four-plex structure in Santa Rosa, California. Sky lanterns are banned statewide in 30 states... These devices are small plastic or paper-covered hot air balloons powered by an open flame. They can travel uncontrolled for more than a mile, sometimes landing while the fire is still burning." ~ May 14, 2016 Wildfiretoday.com "The devices are banned in 30 states primarily because there have been many fires, both wildland and structure fires, ignited when the flame that heats the air in the paper enclosure can still be active when the lantern lands back on the ground. Or there can be a malfunction, such as the paper envelope catching fire, a gust of wind driving it to the ground, or it being hung up in a tree." ~ May 28, 2016 Wildfiretoday.com