Illegal sky lantern sparks fire on Avila Beach hillside
An illegal sky lantern ignited a fire Monday evening after it landed on a hillside in Avila Beach, according to Cal Fire.
The fire began around 7:30 p.m. after people released the floating lantern, Cal Fire spokesperson Toni Davis told The Tribune.
The paper lantern uses a small flame to rise, similar to a hot air balloon.
The fire on the hill behind Olde Port Beach near the entrance to Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant grew to about 1/10 of an acre before firefighters quickly extinguished it.
Davis said this is an important reminder to residents that sky lanterns are illegal because of their fire risk.
It is unclear whether the people who released the lantern will be charged with any crime, she said.
Chloe Jones
The Tribune