Fire Marshal Jack Kennedy said, in a letter to the mayor, "Sky Lantern devices, while visually appealing, create a potential tire hazard. Once lit, sky lanterns are subject to air currents, obstructions such as trees and buildings and are uncontrolled once released. Upon being lit, sky lanterns can remain aflame for 5- 15 minutes, creating a clear tire hazard."
And, Kennedy said, in an interview with Anacortes Now, that he had observed the release of several sky lanterns in the southern end of Fidalgo island over the July Fourth holiday. He said they disappeared, still lit, over a wooded area. He said, "Rather than wait for one of these to land within our forest lands or other critical areas of the city, I'd like to ban the sale and use in the city of Anacortes."
Sky lanterns are typically made of light-weight paper with some sort of a fire source to lift and light up the lantern.
Sky lanterns join other fireworks banned inside the city limits.