The U.S. Coast Guard issued an urgent public warning over three undetonated military flares unaccounted for in Lake Michigan.
It comes after one washed ashore at Chicago’s Montrose beach on Memorial Day and was found by a lifeguard.
Why It Matters
The missing flares pose a direct public safety risk and could cause injury if handled or activated accidentally, according to officials.
They are capable of igniting at extremely high temperatures of up to 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit.
What To Know
The flares went missing following a joint U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Air Force training exercise off Milwaukee earlier in May.
The USCG confirmed that four phosphorus-based pyrotechnic flares failed to activate after being deployed during the joint exercise. The devices are silver, cylindrical, and measure roughly 15 to 18 inches.
On Monday, a lifeguard discovered a cylindrical object on the sand at Montrose Beach, around 80 miles south of the deployment site.
The Chicago Police Department bomb squad was called, and the device was identified as an undetonated military flare that emits flames to enhance visibility during searches for a vessel or individual in the water, according to The Chicago Sun Times.
The beach remained open during the incident, but the object was safely removed, the newspaper said.
While one device has been recovered, three flares remain missing. Officials emphasized that these devices are considered “armed,” posing risks not just on beaches but also for boaters.
What People Are Saying
Lt. Joe Neff, a U.S. Coast Guard public affairs officer, told ABC7 Chicago: “Last thing we want to do, to have, is for people to find one of these on the beach and pick it up. If it were to activate it burns at very high temperatures, can be anywhere near 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, so we just want people to stay clear, call 911.”
Chicago Police said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: “This maritime flare, used in a military exercise, washed up on Montrose Beach yesterday. The public is asked to call 911 if they see a similar object. Do NOT touch, move or attempt to handle the item under any circumstances. Contact the U.S. Coast Guard for additional info.”
What Happens Next
Authorities warned the public against handling any suspicious silver, torpedo-shaped object found on or near shorelines. People should contact local law enforcement to report any similar objects.
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