Using colored smoke effects in public?

[Saltwater Servitude]

I've got an idea for a shoot using colored smoke from homemade smoke bombs with a model posing in the water at a lake. The smoke is going to be used to make the background in this case.

Does anyone have experience in dealing with the public in this sort of situation? The smoke generators will be in the water so there won't be a burn hazard of any kind. Is there any kind of law restricting the use of this kind of pyrotechnic device?

The smoke's colors are so vivid that no one will mistake it as an actual fire. I have a place picked out at Canyon Lake in a public park. I have a feeling that I'm going to get a visit from a park ranger once the shoot goes forward and it's pretty much going to be no problem if we get along or a "get out" if he/she's in a bad mood.

[Saltwater Servitude]

Originally Posted by munni083

Hide a bunch of potato chips and Ho Hos in the bottom of a trash can.
When you get hungry,

Drugs are bad, mmmkay?

[auddii]

Maybe try explaining your situation to some sort of official before hand by phone or email and get permission (written would work best so that you can bring it with you if someone does come up to you to hassle you).

[Night Owl]

Some moron will probably call in about a cloud of mustard gas being released at the park, give your description and license plate number and you'll arrive home to find lots of men in black suits giving your dog a cavity search.

[Saltwater Servitude]

Originally Posted by auddii

Maybe try explaining your situation to some sort of official before hand by phone or email and get permission (written would work best so that you can bring it with you if someone does come up to you to hassle you).

Sounds like the best idea there.

Got a kick out of the mustard gas reply. I can see someone calling the police "there's a huge cloud of smoke on the lake!"

"Can you describe it for us?"

"Yeah! Its orange and smells like cotton candy and toasting marshmallows! Those are like, totally food smells so it might be mustard gas!"

[PHOTO-DA]

The biggest problem is that most likely there is a burn ban in effect in the area and they won't let you fire them off unless you had basically a full firetruck setting there even on private property-just think of all the fires that have occurred in the last few months.

[swanny338]

Typically, for use of pyrotechnics of this level you would probably need to apply for a permit and have a fire marshall inspect the device and the location. I doubt they would require full emergency services on standby, but that is up to the fire marshall to decide. Basically it could cost you as little as $100 for the permit/inspection or much much more if you have to have a crew come out.


I have done lots of seemingly stupid stuff with fire and fireworks but was smart about it. Where your planning on shooting, it might be hard to get away with not getting hassled and could lead to a big fine depending on who catches you.

[Hanky]

I might have to sue you for second hand smoke.