May 19th 2013
With a lack of rainfall, releasing open-flame lanterns into the sky is being discouraged by the St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD).
Known as Chinese flying lanterns or sky lanterns, the devices resemble a small hot-air balloon fuelled by a candle flame.
The lanterns are a fire hazard and are prohibited from use in the SJRFD region, states a news release.
I know of a beautiful orange plant called "Chinese Lanterns" that, when dried add beauty to indoor decor. They are grown in Newfoundland Labrador. Don't know why they're called that - I never questioned the origin of the name but they are extremely exquisite & lovely. I fail to see anything offensive to the Chinese in the column about the flying lanterns. It's an interesting article, tho'.
I see nothing in the column that is in any way, shape or form that is degratory or ethnic in nature. Would we fault Boston because Boston baked beans were the cause of a grass fire? I'm just saying ....... lighten up folks!
Jack, that is the dumbest thing I've ever read here!! They are called Chinese lanterns, not that the Chinese exclusively use them. Everyone does. They were made even more popular a few years ago via a Disney movie (not Chinese in origin) used them as part of the storyline. Sending a candle in a paper "balloon" in this dry weather is just asking for a fire. I would have thought most people would have just used common sense and not use them....but after reading your comments, and making this into a racial issue, obviously, common sence isn't something that is too plentiful...!! Get a grip. Get a clue. Not everything is abut ethnic groups, sometimes it really is a safety issue!! Sheesh.
Perhaps the province should look at instilling another province wide fire ban or at least a ban on the Avalon. The lack of precipitation has everything severely dried out to the point where it's just waiting to light up. AND, we all know there is more than one yahoo with a fire-pit or fireworks who are not responsible enough to realize that it is far too dry to safely enjoy these activities. You can't fart these days without risk of causing a grass fire. So rather than picking on one particular activity why not ban all activities that could be a potential fire risk, that way no one gets offended because you're picking on a particular ethnic group or activity...and enforce the ban!
Fire Departments should not have an authority to ban fires or Chinese lanterns, that should be left to city and town halls. Secondly, even with the dry weather, they should not attack an ethnic group due to dry weather, especially the Chinese, as it constitutes discrimination. St. John's Fire Department, Newfoundland and Labrador is a multi-cultural society, and lets keep it that way instead of oppressing them.
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