Firefighters and farmers urge public to abandon 'misguided' NHS lantern event

The National Farmers Union (NFU Mutual) is urging for planned releases of sky lanterns to be abandoned, warning the lanterns could start grassland or property fires in current dry conditions.

It is also warning the public that debris from burnt-out lanterns can kill grazing sheep and cattle.

Rebecca Davidson, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual said: “We owe the NHS a huge debt of gratitude and understand people want to show their support. We are urging the public to show their support in other ways as none of us wants to put additional pressure on emergency services.

"Sky lanterns present a fire risk in both urban and rural areas. Debris from burnt out lanterns can also injure and even kill grazing farm animals if they eat it.

“The countryside is extremely dry after three weeks without rainfall in many areas and sky lanterns released now could start grassland and moorland fires as well as putting homes and commercial premises at risk.

"Fires caused by sky lanterns are entirely preventable, and at a time when fire service crews are needed as an essential part of the coronavirus emergency response - so we are urging the public not to buy or use sky lanterns but to continue showing their support for the NHS in other ways."

The National Fire Chiefs Council, the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service, has also branded the campaign as "misguided"

NFCC Chair Roy Wilsher said: “While I fully understand people wanting to show their support to the NHS, I would encourage people to find a different way to do this.

“NFCC does not advocate the use of sky lanterns and we do not believe they should be used under any circumstances.

“All emergency services are currently under unprecedented pressure due to COVID-19, and I am concerned this type of activity could not only put additional pressure on the fire service, but further strain on the NHS.

“If a sky lantern causes a fire, it could see firefighters spending valuable time dealing with what could be a complex and large-scale incident. Time which could be spent supporting vulnerable people in the community, as part of the fire services response to COVID-19.”

A sky lantern, also known as Chinese lantern, is a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended.

A fire in Smethwick which ignited 100,000 tonnes of plastic recycling materials was sparked by a sky lantern in 2013.

More than 200 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the blaze, which caused £6m damage.

Almost 90 local authorities across the UK have banned the use of lanterns.