Lake Michigan's shores come with a unique hazard warning this week as the United States Coast Guard has issued a cautionary statement to beachgoers. The alert pertains to three phosphorous pyrotechnics, lost military flares, that pose a potential danger if encountered. According to a report by WISN, the flares were misplaced during a joint search and rescue training exercise between the Coast Guard and Air Force, which took place about 20 miles from the shore of Milwaukee on May 5. Each flare can ignite with a red smoke and a 2,900-degree flame, raising concerns among local populations.
A flare was found by a Montrose Beach lifeguard in Chicago on Monday, as reported by Spectrum News 1. "Now we know we got three out there somewhere that could possibly still be in that armed position," Lt. Joe Neff, public affairs officer for Sector Lake Michigan, told WISN. These pyrotechnics, silver cylinders roughly 15 to 18 inches in length, are designed to float on water, thereby increasing the chances they might wash up on the beaches.
The potential danger was demonstrated by the apprehension of beachgoer Farheen Hakeem, who was at Milwaukee's Bradford Beach with her child. "It's very nerve-wracking, actually, because my child is running around playing, having fun. You know, you can easily pick that up, just out of curiosity," she said, expressing her concern as relayed by WISN. The Coast Guard's warning was issued for the vast expanse of Lake Michigan's coastline, urging anyone who finds a flare to avoid touching it and to immediately call 911.
Authorities have stressed, that anyone locating one of the flares should not attempt to handle them. "If they find them on the beach, we don't want you to pick it up," Lt. Neff advised in his statement to WISN. If still live, these flares could produce extreme temperatures if activated, a hazardous scenario for any unsuspecting individual. The cautionary appeal is to maintain a safe distance and alert the authorities upon discovery. Fox 6 News echoed this advisory, underscoring the potential for these pyrotechnics to wash ashore after being deployed in the military exercise gone awry earlier in the month.
