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Residents report sky lanterns falling onto properties; county says permit revoked after winds picked up
Summary
A resident told the board that sky lanterns from a nearby festival landed near her home during Pasco's burn ban; interim assistant county administrator Joanna Cheshire said the event had a fireworks permit, staff monitored the weekend and revoked lighting on Sunday because of wind. The board asked staff to research environmental cleanup and classification issues.
A Dade City resident and homeschooling parent told the board that a sky lantern from a ‘lunar lantern’ festival landed in a tree at her home and emitted embers during a County burn ban, creating a fire risk. "I called nonemergency…there was a little green embers coming off a disc that was in the center that was falling from the lantern onto our yard," the resident said.
Joanna Cheshire, interim assistant county administrator for public safety, said county staff were aware, had discussed the risk ahead of the weekend and decided to prohibit lighting on Sunday after winds increased. Cheshire said the event was permitted as a fireworks permit under state statute, that event organizers funded mitigation resources, and that no fires were reported on Saturday.
Commissioners expressed concern about embers traveling, litter and environmental impacts if lanterns land in the green swamp or on other property. The county agreed to research possible environmental or nuisance remedies and whether classification or permitting practices should be revisited, while noting state preemption of some fireworks rules.
The board directed staff to report back to explore options for cleanup obligations and whether additional local restrictions or guidance are available given the burn ban and environmental risks.
