CIVIC chiefs are facing calls to ban fireworks and sky lanterns in the New Forest as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
The district council has launched a public consultation after drawing up plans to introduce two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) that aim to deter "inappropriate" conduct.
One of the PSPOs seeks to prevent people from feeding or petting the thousands of ponies, cows and donkeys that graze the landscape.
The other bans the lighting of fires and the use of BBQs on land managed by Forestry England.
But a conservation group called Friends of the New Forest is urging the council to include fireworks and sky lanterns in the scheme to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Speaking at the monthly Court of Verderers, FONF member Brian Tarnoff said it should adopt the same attitude as many other local authorities across the country.
The measures sought by FONF would improve public safety, outweighing the "negligible" loss of enjoyment, he said.
READ MORE: Firefighters warn residents not to light sky lanterns to support NHS
Mr Tarnoff added: "NFDC may balk at inclusion by insisting that they need more direct evidence of the threat from sky lanterns and fireworks to progress the PSPO.
"Clearly more than ten other authorities were able to meet the legal requirement for those prohibitions in their PSPOs."
Citing the growing threat posed by climate change he said: "There is ample evidence that our heathlands will be susceptible to wildfires. We should guard against every probable source."
But the council confirmed that fireworks and sky lanterns were not included in the current proposals.
It said the draft PSPOs dealt with issues identified during the evidence-gathering process, which concentrated on the problems caused by campfires and barbecues in the open forest.
Craig Harrison, deputy surveyor of the New Forest, is Forestry England's most senior official in the area.
Speaking last month he said: "Protecting the area from the growing risk of wildfires and their potentially devastating consequences is a key priority.
READ MORE: Sky lanterns pose "serious threat" to countryside
"Our teams have spent many hours preventing irresponsible use of BBQs and fires, and working with the emergency services to respond to incidents."
Anyone breaching a PSPO can be handed a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice or fined up to £1,000 if the case goes to Southampton Magistrates' Court.
The consultation is due to end on January 27 and the results will be reported to the council's ruling cabinet in the spring.
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