Nature reserve fire in Dorset caused by skylanterns as farming community re-iterates safety message

People are told to consider any livestock that may be nearby and to avoid causing them any unnecessary stress with lanterns
People are told to consider any livestock that may be nearby and to avoid causing them any unnecessary stress with lanterns

A Chinese lantern started a huge fire on a nature reserve in Dorset. Fire fighters were called to Hartland Moor near Wareham a few days ago to a member of the public saying there was a bonfire that had spread to the heath.

However, when crews arrived shortly after 8.10pm they found that it was a blaze sparked by a Chinese lantern landing on the shrubland.

Crews from Wareham and Poole attended the fire, although no indication was given of its severity.

The fire was put out by 8.34pm. There was a second false alarm caused when someone spotted another Chinese lantern on Hartland Moor.

Craig Baker from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service said: "With Chinese lanterns, you're basically throwing a naked flame into the sky with no control over the direction it will take or where it will land.

"There is no guarantee that the fuel source will be fully extinguished and cooled when the lantern eventually descends, and that presents a real fire hazard.

"Chinese lanterns are very attractive when they're in the sky, and we fully understand why they are so popular.

"We would just urge people to think very carefully about where they will be released."

Farmers and the rural community are urging people to ban the usage of sky lanterns due to the risk they pose to livestock and property.

Evidence has shown that the frames of lanterns can harm or even kill farm animals if they are ingested, fields of standing crops and buildings are at significant risk of being set alight, while littering is also a major problem.

In 2014, the Trading Standards Institute published a new code of practice following discussions between the government and industry. The code offers guidance for those designing, manufacturing, distributing, retailing or using the lanterns.

'Not just livestock affected - many other valuables are'

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said: "I know from personal experience just how dangerous sky lanterns can be after losing a cow from my own herd which died after eating some fine wire from a lantern that landed on the farm - the post mortem revealed that this was the cause of death.

"But it’s important to point out that it’s not just farm animals which can be affected. Sky lanterns cause fires to crops, grassland on moors and bales of hay and straw that have been stacked, which can lead to a loss of buildings.

"It is really encouraging that local authorities are now starting to see sense and have banned the release of lanterns on their land.

"However, we would like to see many more follow suit. Members of the public can play a big part by writing to their local councils spelling out how dangerous sky lanterns can be.

"Please back British farming and think twice before setting sky lanterns alight and releasing them into the environment.

"The NFU continues to call for an outright ban and we will continue to lobby government until action is taken."