Launching some paper lanterns may seem like a good idea for a party, a major life event, Memorial Day, or something similar.

The people responsible for putting out fires would rather see some other kind of celebration.

“Paper lanterns are also called sky lanterns or Chinese lanterns, and are basically small, unmanned hot-air balloons,” said Joe Beardsley, City of Warren Fire Department operations and training officer. “The lantern is usually a wire frame with a paper shell and a fuel source on the bottom. The flame creates the hot air that makes the lantern float, and it adds a glow to the lantern as it floats away.”

That’s the stuff that makes them popular with people.

The part that makes them unpopular with firefighters is the degree of control the launchers have over the flying fires.

“The lanterns can travel up to a mile or more depending upon the local winds and atmospheric conditions,” Beardsley said. “Since a lantern is allowed to float away as the air inside the lantern rises in temperature, the flame inside the sky lantern cannot be constantly attended by a person until it is extinguished.”

The city’s outdoor burning ordinance applies to flying fires.

“The City of Warren regulates outdoor burning… and therefore bans the use of these lanterns,” Beardsley said. “The lanterns cannot be constantly attended to by an adult until the fire is extinguished and therefore are prohibited.”

“If a lantern is caught in a tree or lands on a roof and the fire spreads to whatever it gets caught in, this could turn into a tragic event,” Beardsley said.

The same is true on the Allegheny National Forest. “If one of these lanterns should fall on ‘receptive’ fuels that could start a fire then it will be a problem,” Fire Management Officer Peter To said.

The fire danger on the ANF is decreasing as leaves come out.

“Right now, the tree canopies are filling in with new leaves and starting to ‘shade out’ the forest floor,” To said. “This shading will help retain moisture and inhibit drying out since the sun will not reach the ground.”