PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to ban the small hot air balloons known as “sky lanterns” and clarify the process for enacting a total ban on fireworks when dry conditions create a fire danger.
The vote, cast on a cold and wet first day of winter, was unanimous.
The measure immediately enacts a ban on sky lanterns, which are defined in the ordinance as small hot air balloons with an opening at the bottom under which fire is suspended, allowing the balloon to rise.
It also makes it unlawful to sell, transfer, discharge, ignite or explode any fireworks aside from paper caps that contain no more than “25 hundredths grain” of explosive material during very dry conditions, according to the ordinance. When such dry conditions prevail would be decided by the fire marshall.
As a result, the two Port Hadlock fireworks stands operated by the Chimacum School District as a July 4 fundraising tool will close if extremely dry conditions coincide with the holiday.
“This will happen a year from now. This July 4 is not affected,” County Administrator Philip Morley said.
The sky lantern ban will go into in effect immediately.
The second part of the resolution, which enables the commissioners to institute an immediate and comprehensive ban on all fireworks during extremely dry conditions, will not take effect until the beginning of 2017.
Some of the sky lanterns have some degree of control while others are generally set loose by the operator with no control as to where it goes or lands.
This, according to supporters of the measure, creates a fire hazard.
“I have in the past found these lanterns on my own property, still burning in the brush between my house and the water,” said Shine resident John Fabian. “These things are hazardous and dangerous.”
The approved ordinance states that sky lanterns, which can be purchased but are often homemade, pose serious fire and safety hazards.
“They have the ability to float up to as much as 1,500 feet of altitude, travel up to 20 miles and land in combustible materials,” the ordinance states.
“A flaming lantern can drop onto a rooftop, field, trees or power lines before the flame is fully extinguished.”
Drone-power
On a recommendation by Tom Thiersch of Jefferson County, the sky lantern ban was also extended to cover drone-powered sky lantern devices — particularly if their batteries fail or they move out of range and operate without any control.
The ordinance only covers the unincorporated portion of Jefferson County and does not forbid the use of sky lanterns in Port Townsend or adjacent counties. Any sky lantern that originates from another jurisdiction is not covered by the ban.
District 1 Commissioner Phil Johnson said that he planned to have breakfast with Port Townsend Mayor David King at which time he intended to discuss the possibility of the city passing a similar measure. The use of fireworks is not permitted within Port Townsend.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
