Danger on Chicago Beaches: Missing Military Flares Pose Fire Risk

Chicago Beachgoers Warned of Dangerous Missing Flares Chicago, IL – A public safety warning has been issued after several undetonated military flares washed ashore on Chicago beaches. The Coast Guard's Sector Lake Michigan confirmed that four phosphorous pyrotechnics, each over a foot long, went missing following a joint military exercise with the Air Force near Milwaukee earlier this month. These flares, capable of reaching temperatures up to 2900 degrees Fahrenheit, pose a significant fire threat. "If you spot one, do not touch it," urges a Coast Guard official in the ABC7 Chicago report. "Call 911 immediately." The incident highlights the potential dangers of military exercises and the importance of public awareness in such situations. The Coast Guard is working to locate and secure the remaining flares. The quick dissemination of this information through local news outlets underscores the importance of community safety and rapid response to potential hazards.