Floating lanterns at Lights Fest near Winnipeg spark fire-hazard concerns

Afestival that utilizes thousands of floating lights is igniting concerns just outside of Winnipeg.

The Lights Fest a touring event organized by the company Viive Events is coming to Fun Mountain in the RM of Springfield in September. Participants pay for a lantern and "swag bag," and ata designated moment, the lanterns are ignited and sent skyward.

Russ Phillips, CEO of the RM of Springfield, said the municipality has some concerns but it also doesn'thave the power to stop it.

"The specific concerns council raised at the time were certainly the proximity to the two major highwaysthe Perimeter Highway as well as the Trans-Canada," along with proximity to nearby campgrounds,a trailer park on MurdockRoad and the Lyncrest Airport,said Phillips.

"I've worked in a previous city that has banned [floating lanterns]," he said. "The unfortunate part is the RM of Springfield doesn't have that in a fire-prevention or in a fireworks policy. Council really had no ability to say no, other than to say we have these concerns."

The City of Winnipeg passed a bylaw in April banning floating paper lanterns from beinglit and cast into the air within city limits.

Paper lanterns safe: Lights FestCEO

Lights FestCEO Colin Larsen said the lanterns are safe and eco-friendly, and the event complies with local bylaws.

"We literally have every detail down on the website," said Larsen.

"[The lanterns]can't hurt anything,at all. Vegetation, animals, all that jazz. But on top of thatwe've had them nationally tested, just kind of like you'd test something for any product. We've spent a lot of money getting our [lanterns]tested to prove what we claim on the website."

"Even though we utilize extremely safe, custom lanterns, we hire outside fire professionals who specialize in wildfire control,"the Lights Festofficial websitesays.

"These certified personnel help us better understand each individual region, and provide us with customized fire action plans and the on-site resources to combat any situation.

"We have customized our lanterns and are able to ensure that they will land within the designated property for easy retrieval. They are made from non-flammable and biodegradable materials,"and volunteers pick up the lanterns afterwards, according to the website.

Philips said Lights Festis responsible for traffic and fire safety.

"We in fact advised them we were not able to dedicate municipal fire and police on a standby basis for the event," said Phillips. "We'll respond, of course, if there is an incident but they will have to hire outside companies [to be on standby]forthose purposes."

People come for many reasons: Larsen

Larsen said the appeal of Lights Fest is that it has a different meaning for every participant.

"Basically the whole objective of [the event]is people can go for whatever reason," said Larsen. "People are coming because maybe they have cancer or they have lost a loved one or they just want to come and see something pretty magical."

In addition to the lighting of the lanterns, the eventwill include local music and entertainment, said Larsen, noting the festival generally brings in local musicians and food trucks.

"It's all family friendly," he added.

"It's not going to be at the waterslidesthey have a big property off to the side, just to make that clear," said Larsen.

Tickets for the Lights Festgo on sale Monday and range in price from $25-55 US. About 8,000 tickets are up for sale, said Larsen.