Des Plaines Fire Department to Enforce Sky Lantern Ban

The Des Plaines Fire Department will enforce a ban on sky lanterns, the department stated.

The lanterns contain a small candle or fuel cell and when lit, air is heated and the lanterns rise into the air. The lanterns also are known as sky lanterns, floating lanterns, wishing lanterns and celebration lanterns, a press release from the department states.

The lanterns sometimes travel several miles and have been known to cause home fires and also pose a threat to air and vehicular traffic.

"Because of these fire and safety hazards, the Office of the State Fire Marshal for the State of Illinois is issuing this notice to inform you that sky lanterns are now prohibited in Illinois," the release states.