Cape Town - While pretty to look at, Chinese paper lanterns released near the sea are a “disaster” for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) as they are often mistaken for distress flares.
They are also illegal, and users could be fined or imprisoned for using them.
City fire and rescue spokesman Theo Layne said three Chinese lanterns were lit in Camps Bay on Guy Fawkes, “that we are aware of”. He said the wind direction on Wednesday was already moving the three lit lanterns towards the mountain, posing a threat to vegetation. Fire services confiscated two more lanterns before they were lit.
JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the city’s community fire safety by-law prohibited anyone from using a flame-emitting device, including a candle, lantern or torch, in a way that would create a fire hazard or pose a threat.
The city’s strong stance on these popular paper decorations for beach weddings and other celebration has been welcomed by the NSRI.
Spokesman Andrew Ingram said rescue volunteers spent “hours and hours” searching for possible victims in distress because people confused the lanterns with distress flares. “This will make a huge difference to the volunteers.”
The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon said crew had responded to seven incidents of “false alarms with good intentions” in the past year, following reports of suspected red distress flares.
These were later discovered and confirmed to have been Chinese lanterns. Lambinon said there were other incidents where boats were sent and no vessels or people in distress were found. Although unconfirmed, it is possible that these calls were prompted by sightings of Chinese lanterns.
While a Chinese lantern rises up into the air when it is lit, creating an orange light that disappears as soon as the flame is extinguished or the lantern burns out, a distress flare ignites at the top of the arch and then drops.
But Ingram said people were encouraged to report any lights in the sky to the NSRI, so that the appropriate action could be taken.
The NSRI has contacted retailers to inform them of the by-law’s regulations.
Smith said that if the lit device fell into dry grass, it could spark a runaway vegetation fire hundreds of metres from where the lantern was first released.
“‘It must be emphasised that the city does not want to spoil anyone’s fun, but is mindful that vegetation is generally very dry at this time of the year, which increases the risk of runaway fires. In 2006 we saw a vegetation fire on Table Mountain which was caused by a cigarette butt – so one can only imagine what these lanterns could do. I am appealing to residents to refrain from this dangerous and careless practice,” said Smith.
Cape Argus