'The city can just be lit on fire' say critics of summer solstice event

With clear skies and hot weather predicted for the next few days, this is agood timeto be extra careful while attending to abarbecue or any kind of open flame outdoors.

However, about54,000 people would prefertolaunch floating candles over Mount Royal park for what organizers predict will be"a magical evening."

The Facebook event, titled Montreal Wish Lantern 2016, is inviting the public to the Mount Royal lookout, to release lit lanterns into the night sky. Event organizers say thatit "won't pose any harm to the city."

The City of Montreal is askingguests not to attend.

• Flying lanterns could soon be banned in Windsor
• Kingsville bans flying lanterns due to 'safety concern'

Montreal issued a press releasestating that such events have had "disastrous consequences around the world."

Friends of the Mountain not hot on lantern launching

Eveline Trudel-Fugre, head of communications at Friends of the Mountain would prefer people spend the summer solsticeanother way.

"It looks like a beautiful event, but when you see the consequences in other cities, it is not a good idea," says Trudel-Fugre.

She said the lanterns pose a big risk to the mountain, ranging from an accumulation of debris, harming the trees and flora, as well as the threat of fire on the mountain to the houses in the area.

"The city can just be lit on fire," said Trudel-Fugre.

A Facebook invitation for the event shows that around 11,000 are attending and 43,000 more are interested in attending.

According to Trudel-Fugre, security is another issue. She noted that organizers may not have expected such a big turnout.

City worried

City officials are also concerned about security. They said that the mountain cannot be the site of such a large public gathering.

City spokesperson Rene Pageau noted that the city did not give its permission for this event and that organizers do not have a permit for it.

"In an urban setting such as Montreal, the situation can be very disastrous in terms of damages," said Pageau.

The fire department and the SPVM will be on standby Monday.

Some of the provinces that have put a ban on lanterns include Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island.