Thursday, February 24, 2011

Safety Advice on Military Flares


The Sheriff’s Encinitas Station and Bomb/Arson Unit are advising people along the coastline of Encinitas to be careful about military flares washing up on the beach. Encinitas Sheriff’s Deputies have responded to two incidents of military flares in metal boxes washing up on the beach yesterday and today. On February 23rd at 6:00 p.m., a device was found on the beach near the 300 block of S. El Portal Street. This morning, a man found two metal boxes while he was walking on Beacons Beach. The boxes contain a label stating:

“FLAMMABLE, SIGNAL SMOKE, CONTAINS PHOSPHORUS, DO NOT HANDLE AND TO NOTIFY POLICE OR MILITARY.”

The Sheriff’s Encinitas Station Deputies and Bomb/Arson Detectives responded to both incidents and safely disposed the devices. No one was hurt. Bomb/Arson technicians determined the devices were phosphorus flares. Phosphorus can cause severe burns if exposed to the skin and should not be touched. Some of the flares may not burn all the way and can reignite when exposed to air or water. If you find a military flare on the beach, please don’t touch it and call 911.

The military is currently conducting terrorism exercises off the coast of San Diego and have been notified. The Sheriff’s Encinitas Station is conducting extra patrols on the beach and have notified lifeguards from the cities of Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar.

For additional information
Melissa Aquino

Media Relations Officer
(858) 974-2253

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