Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is reminding the public of the risks linked to sky lanterns.
This warning comes after residents in West Bridgford reported seeing a large number of the items above the town on Saturday evening 11 July 2026.
Sky lanterns, sometimes known as Chinese lanterns, are paper-covered frames lifted into the sky by an open flame. While they can look impressive, they present a serious risk of fire, injury, and harm to animals and the environment.
NFRS joins other fire and rescue services across the country in highlighting that sky lanterns pose unacceptable dangers in both rural and built-up areas. Even when released in what might appear to be a safe location, they can travel for miles and cause danger far from their starting point.
In other parts of the UK, animals have been severely harmed, and even died, because of sky lanterns – something we want to prevent in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
There is an immediate risk of lanterns igniting grass, crops, or woodland, they can cause fires during dry spells and pose ongoing risks to wildlife, livestock, and the environment.
If a fire does occur, call 999 immediately. To help emergency services locate you quickly, the Service also advises downloading and using the free What3Words app.
While sky lanterns are not currently banned in the UK, NFRS strongly discourages their use.
Note some councils including Rushcliffe and Gedling prohibit the use of sky lanterns on their park areas.