Wish Lanterns Banned in San Diego

Couples looking for that unique, memorable moment to end their wedding now have one less item to choose from: Wish Lanterns (aka Sky Lanterns, Sky Candles, Flying Lanterns.) They are officially banned in San Diego, and have been apparently since late 2011. Because we DJs are usually involved with the ending of the night, whether it being the last dance set, last song or something unique, we’re often asked for recommendations or ideas. Sparklers have been popular too, though many venues ban their use. I’ve been asked alot recently about the new “Sky Lanterns”.

The airborne paper lanterns are powered by candles, which fill the lanterns with hot air. Users then release them and they float away. Asian cultures have used the floating lanterns —- also known as wish lanterns, flying lanterns, sky candles and Kongming lanterns —- in celebrations for thousands of years, and it’s considered good luck to release one.

As the Fire Prevention Bureau writes:

The lantern can achieve an altitude of 1,500 feet or more and they are uncontrolled and have an unpredictable flight path. They can land on trees, combustible grass or wildland brush, on combustible rooftops or on other combustible materials while still ignited and potentially cause a fire.

Based on the CFC, the uncontrolled and unpredictable flight path of the lanterns and the fire risk they pose, the use of sky lanterns is not permitted.

So, unfortunately, they’re officially banned in San Diego County.

Official Banning of Sky Lanterns

The official document was found on SanDiego.gov, http://www.sandiego.gov/fire/pdf/skylanterns.pdf

Banned in San Diego. Sky Lanterns Released into the sky. Photo Credit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2210324/Pictured-Thousands-Chinese-lanterns-light-night-sky-Michigan-annual-larger-life-art-completion.html