‘Sky lanterns’ banned as dangerous fireworks

The Salina City Commission voted 5-0 on Monday to give the city manager the authority to ban certain types of fireworks which are determined to present a danger to people or property if they are used in the city.

Included in the action was the banning of sky lanterns, which use a flame or other heating device to cause the free-floating device to lift, similar to a hot-air balloon.

Deputy City Manager Mike Schrage said sky lanterns were singled out because the combination of their unpredictable flight pattern and the presence of open flame presented a significant fire danger.