Red, White & Blue Fire District Standard Operating Policy

Sky Lanterns

PURPOSE:

This policy establishes the District’s position on using Sky Lanterns or similar devices constructed of a paper shell on a lightweight frame containing a fuel cell.

DEFINITION:

Sky Lantern: These are devices that resemble small hot air balloons.  They are also known as Kongming lanterns, wish lanterns, Chinese lanterns, sky candles, or aerial luminaries.  These devices are constructed of a paper shell placed over a lightweight frame with a fuel cell.  The fuel cell is typically a waxy flammable material or a small tea light-type candle.

POLICY:

Sky lanterns are known to travel great distances from where they are released.  This poses a serious fire and safety hazard because of their ability to start unintended fires in our heavily wooded community.  Such fires may go unnoticed, posing a greater risk to our Upper Blue Basin community.  Therefore, the Fire District strictly prohibits the use of Sky Lanterns.

CODE SECTIONS:

IFC 307.5 Attendance.  Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.  A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, or water truck, shall be available immediately.  Required constant attendance is not possible when Sky Lanterns are released into the air thus, they are prohibited.

IFC 308.1.2 Throwing or placing sources of ignition.  No person shall throw or place or cause to be thrown or places, a lighted match, cigar, cigarette, matches or other flaming or glowing substance or object on any surface or article where it can cause an unwanted fire.  There is no way for the user to ensure the lit fuel cell will not cause an unwanted fire when the Sky Lantern is released into the air.

IFC 308.1.5 Location near combustibles.  Open flames such as from candles, lanterns, kerosene heaters and gas-fired heaters shall not be located on or near decorative material or similar combustible materials.  There is no way to ensure where the Sky Lantern will land and whether it will land on a combustible surface.

IFC 308.1.6 Open-flame devices.  Torches and other devices, machines or processes liable to start or cause fire shall not be operated or used in or upon wildfire risk areas, except by a permit in accordance with Section 105.6 secured from the fire code official.  There is no way for the user to ensure that the Sky Lantern will not land in a wildland-urban interface area that has a significant wildfire risk potential.

REFERENCES:

The District adopted International Fire Code