Flying Lanterns in the Maine Sky Could Get You a $500 Fine

Summer has arrived in Maine and so has reasons to celebrate. From individuals to entire towns, some people choose to celebrate occasions by launching fireworks.

Consumer fireworks remain legal in Maine (with restrictions depending on where you're located) but it's another type of firework that Maine Forest Rangers are reminding the public to stay far, far away from.

Fire Rangers Offer Warning About Illegal Sky Lanterns in Maine

In a post shared on Facebook, Maine Forest Rangers were called to a property that is home to a barn full of hay and livestock. They were called to the scene because an illegal sky lantern landed on the property.

Thankfully, nothing came of the sky lantern landing on the property in this instance, by the Maine Forest Rangers remind individuals that these lanterns simply blow wherever the wind takes them and could put personal property and wildlife in significant danger.

Sky Lanterns Have Been Illegal For Years in Maine and Carry a Fine

For more than a decade, sky lanterns have been classified as illegal fireworks in Maine. Any individual is not allowed to use, sell or possess these illegal sky lanterns due to the risk they carry.

If anyone is caught using, selling or possessing sky lanterns, they could be subject to significant fines. Each lantern could land someone with a fine between $50 and $500 dollars.

Additionally, municipalities could impose their own fines on individuals based on the danger risk that using or distributing illegal sky lanterns caused.