Just to interject at this point. The lanterns are 'self-heated' by a small hexi-block which when lit of course, provides the hot air to enable the lightweight system to rise. Whilst a formal study hasn't been done (and why would it currently!), Joey Eccles hit the nail on the head for why it seems certain areas accumulate more than others. That at somes sites they are simply more noticeable than others and also that those are the sites we most often visit and actually actively look, though of course not necessarily for laterns

One flying over Eccles - viewed from the M60 motorway at about 6.00pm today.
Perhaps this will continue to be a problem all year round, with people lighting 'left overs' from New Year

Now 30 at the Wigan Flashes, all colours...yes, Rob, I know about hot air rising but some weather condition is making these things land on the ice, as other open areas eg playing fields don't seem to have them...must be some physicist out there who can explain this!

Judith Smith wrote:

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I wonder if the cold air rising from large frozen lakes brings them down?

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Cold air rising, Judith, are you sure about that?
If anything, I would have thought that coming in to contact with cold air should technically improve their ability to fly, as the air inside the lantern would then be even warmer in comparison to the air outside the lantern. But that may be (or is probably) completely wrong, I certainly ain't no scientist...

-- Edited by Rob Thorpe on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 08:14:32 PM

I wonder if the cold air rising from large frozen lakes brings them down?

They can come in all colours! As far as anything 'official' goes Judith, we obviously acknowledge their fire starting potential (and a few incidents have been suspected as due to them) but have no power to do anything about them without an incredibly long and drawn out process (which may even be on-going, don't forget I just put them out) probably involving those lay-abouts at Westminster!

Another thing to remember with these 'cheapo' lanterns is that the wire in them is also a concern to farmers with cattle. Unsuspecting cows and sheep can easily eat one of these things and cause untold damage to themselves when the wire gets lodged in their gut.

To be honest, I'm sick of seeing them scattered about everywhere. We have a big enough problem with litter as it is and these lanterns only make the matter worse. The same goes for all these charity balloon launches where they let hundreds of balloons loose in one go. They invariably make their way back down to earth somewhere and its been well documented that ones that end up in the sea can be a problem for turtles and seals, etc when they eat them.

Anyway, rant over!!

Yes Judith i did read your post and it reminded me to bring this issue up. The cheap supermarket alternatives to 'proper' chinese lanterns contain wire/wood and the often coloured paper scars the landscape when they get caught up in trees.
Its a shame that whilst they may look nice when lighted, many don't think of the after effects of them

Joey

-- Edited by Joey Eccles on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 01:15:36 PM

Joey;

I counted six downed ones around Astley and Bedford moss this morning, imagine one landing in a field of dry crops in the middle of summer or on the moors. There's enough litter around without adding a potential incendiary to the landscape.