Airborne Moop

[The Delicious Monster]

Heya fellow burners!

We noticed a few of these Chinese lanterns that people lit up at night which look great. One of our crew members would also like to launch some of these into the air. However, another crew member pointed out that it may be rather MOOP-ish... if you know what we mean.

Any opinions regarding that or maybe advice for MOOP-less lanterns?

Thanks

[Sam]

ja, those chinese lanterns are absolutely magical : ]
but they do indeed make MOOP (the rings that hold the frame out)
and it turns out they can be a significant fire hazard!

this year we're asking that people with chinese lanterns register them as an official burn, so we can put the right kind of safety measures in place
(like lighting them only when it's still, and watching to make sure they don't land on any tents).

and I found some biodegradable chinese lanterns out there on the internet . . .
can't remember where though, an online party site.
will post if I come across it again, otherwise try google

[Travis]

Papa Deadly says:

Our pink and blue AmaDeadly tent was set on fire by one of these beautiful lanterns.

If it hadn't been swiftly put out by Mama Deadly and a passing Samaritan (thank you, stranger, very much!) our flaming tent would have set our car, diesel, generator and then our neighbours', and their neighbour....you get the picture. The reason the lantern fell on our (fabric) tent? Wind.

Wind is the critical factor: if you set a lantern alight, you have to check that there's no wind - it must be as still as possible - or else the lantern won't be able to rise. With even slight wind the lantern will travel far quite quickly, and then drop and hit something flammable...and even if it's not alight, well then it presents a new problem.

So, other than the inevitable MOOP factor, these beautiful lanterns are a serious safety issue at an event where masses of flammable things are gathered.

[Ard]

ja, those chinese lanterns are absolutely magical : ]
but they do indeed make MOOP (the rings that hold the frame out)
and it turns out they can be a significant fire hazard!

this year we're asking that people with chinese lanterns register them as an official burn, so we can put the right kind of safety measures in place
(like lighting them only when it's still, and watching to make sure they don't land on any tents).

and I found some biodegradable chinese lanterns out there on the internet . . .
can't remember where though, an online party site.
will post if I come across it again, otherwise try google

Woo! Biodegradable lanterns! Good find Sam

As Sam said, these lanterns are a burn of sorts, so do need to be registered. This is so that the artists and emergency services people can discuss how to do flying fire safely.

[The Delicious Monster]

Great thanks for the insight! We don't wana be burning any tents whatsoever.

[Ranger Bob]

Woo! Biodegradable lanterns! Good find Sam

As Sam said, these lanterns are a burn of sorts, so do need to be registered. This is so that the artists and emergency services people can discuss how to do flying fire safely.

and please ALL be on the look out for any night time bandits shooting small phosphorous flares attached to parachutes; we had a few this year and they pose a HUGE risk

[The Delicious Monster]

Okay so I found a South African Company who manufactures what they call 'non flammable, bio degradable' lanterns... Hmmm. They also have a very clever thought out safety instruction sheet:

IMPORTANT RELEASE NOTES:
Please allow at least 2 – 3 minutes for the lantern to fill with hot air. During the hot summer months lanterns can take longer before they are ready for release.
DO NOT release the sky lanterns in wind conditions that make lighting the lantern difficult. Wind should not be stronger than 7 km/ph.
DO NOT release a sky lantern that is torn or contains holes as it could result in premature landing.
DO NOT release sky lanterns within a 10km radius of an operational airport or landing strip.
DO NOT release sky lanterns near to dry crops, farmland or next to thatched roofed properties.
Always check the wind direction prior to releasing the sky lanterns to ensure that no obstacles are in the direct flight path.
The flight path of the sky lanterns should be clear of buildings, trees, overhead cables and mountains.
If you are planning an event, please refer to a South African weather service website: www.weathersa.co.za in order to plan ahead.

I reckon if we follow these guidelines and we just watch the direction of the wind (under 7km/h, as instructed) and choose a release spot that is not upwind from any tents etc, we should be safe.

Any thoughts on that?

[The Delicious Monster]

Oh it's http://www.lightalantern.co.za/about-sky-lanterns.asp

[Cherry Fairy]

DO NOT release sky lanterns near to dry crops, farmland or next to thatched roofed properties.
mmmm me thinks Tankwa is very dry
At Burning Man they release thousands, but (a) don't do it when there's win and (b) there is nothing living on the BM playa
I would absolutely hate to see our tiny Tankwa bushes catch alight

[ShaniJ]

Hey Cherry Fairy,

Thanks for your posts, we are going to discourage lanterns all together this year/ we also looking into eco friendly lanterns. Not only do they litter but they are lank dangerous, infact burnt a hole in someones tent last year.
Re greeters, I am hoping to have a full education leaflet and greeters to get well briefed. I would like each theme camp to get a "pack" which will include signs for their rubbish so they can start recycling, we hoping to get local farms to collect slops for pigs etc. The lanyards also sound great. Would you be interested in joining the next moop meeting? Not sure date yet but early feb sometime
Shani