You Can’t Launch Sky Lanterns in One Hudson Valley County Now

If you are planning to release any sky lanterns in Ulster County, it is now illegal to do so.

According to the Daily Freeman, Ulster County lawmakers have voted to ban sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, claiming that they are a fire hazard.

The new law was approved by legislators on Tuesday by a vote of 21-1 and if you are caught using the now banned lanterns, you could face a $250 fine or 15 days in jail or both. If you are a repeat offender the fines could increase to $1,000 and up to a year imprisonment.

Lawmakers told the Freeman that the lanterns which look like an upside down bag that stand usually about 1 to 2 feet tall and designed to float in the air using a candle to produce hot air are mostly used by people during celebrations like weddings, birthdays and more.

The only legislator that voted against the law was Legislator Tracey Bartels, from Gardiner who told the Freeman that

“I do believe that this is a good piece of legislation in terms of the outlaw and the ban but ... I’m concerned about the penalty section.”

As of Friday, the County Emergency Management reported that there have not been any reports of a fire being started as the result of a sky lantern.