HOLIDAYMAKERS have been urged against buying Chinese lanterns that are released into the sky as they could pose a potential fire risk.

With the hot summer now upon us, temperatures rising and the ground very dry, tourists, locals and expats have been advised of falling for the temptation of lighting up the pretty lanterns at night.

One concerned local, speaking to Voices, said: “I saw four last night being lit up and two the night before.

“It is insane when the land is this dry to keep sending them up! They may look pretty but animals and people are going to be killed if they land at night in an arid area and a fire starts.

“What are these people thinking of? I can see more and more of these incidents happening.

“They can smoulder for hours and then the first whiff of breeze and you have an out of control fire alert. It needs stopping and quickly.”

The lanterns – also known as sky balloons – have been made for centuries, and are constructed to hold a candle at the bottom. They are lifted into the air and drift off. But the dangers are that they can land short distances away, with the candle still alight.