Sky Lanterns
Dear Editor: Sky lanterns have become a popular way for people to celebrate events and we are seeing more of them being released in Sitka.
For those who aren’t familiar with sky lanterns they generally are made of lightweight bamboo frames covered with tissue paper. A candle or small container of flammable liquid is suspended in them and when ignited they ascend into the air like a small hot air balloon. There is no doubt that the image of a glowing orb of light drifting across the sky is a beautiful sight but for those of us in the business of fire protection and fire fighting they conjure images that are far less serene.
This past weekend the fire department responded to a report of a roof on fire. Upon arrival at the scene they discovered the burnt remains of a sky lantern on the roof of an apartment building. Fortunately the roof was covered in frost but the flaming remnants of the sky lantern burned long enough to melt the frost in a four foot area where it came to rest on the roof. In this case there was no damage, but had the roof been dry this story could have had a much different, and possibly tragic, ending.
The City and Borough of Sitka adopts the International Fire Code, and even though there is no specific prohibition to sky lanterns, the code does prohibit throwing, placing, or causing to be placed a flaming object anywhere it may cause an unwanted fire. A sky lantern falls under this prohibition as once it is released no one knows where it will land. As we saw this past weekend, sky lanterns can continue to burn long after they come to ground.
Please be mindful of fire safety and the fact that an act that seems harmless in its inception can have a tragic ending.
Wishing you a fire safe and happy new year,
Dave Miller, Sitka Fire Chief
William Stortz,
Building Official/Fire Marshal
Front Page
Dear Editor: ‘‘Surely goodness and mercy ...’’ shall prevail. Look at the front page of the Sentinel for Dec. 24, 2014, ‘‘above the fold’’ and below, too.
The women and men pictured and mentioned have all given us good reason to have faith in Sitka.
‘‘Gravel replaces asphalt!’’ I love it.
Pauline Fredrickson, Sitka
Giving Tree
Dear Editor: The Giving Tree sponsor, the United Methodist Church, would like to thank each person who purchased gifts for women and children and elders in our community who were in need, and who made a donation of wrapping paper or money. Your overwhelming generosity made it possible for gifts to be given to Sitkans Against Family Violence, Youth Advocates of Sitka, children in foster care, Sitka Community Hospital Long Term Care, and the Pioneers Home.
Thank you to Wells Fargo Bank for hosting year after year. Also, to Lauren and Zia Allen for putting up the tree and to Lauren for organizing and delivering gifts as well as Carol Potrzuski, Nancy Young, Vicki Keele, Jonie Calhoun and Mike Hornaman for helping. It is such a joy to live in a community where so many are so giving.
Wishing all of Sitka a blessed new year.
Julia A. Smith
Giving Tree Volunteer
United Methodist Church of Sitka
