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Unaccounted pyrotechnics located; Coast Guard provides update

By
Published  May 28, 2025 8:35pm CDT
Military
FOX 32 Chicago
article

Phosphorous pyrotechnics

The Brief

    • All four pyrotechnics that were previously reported missing have been accounted for.
    • The devices were deployed but not activated when used during an exercise off the coast of Milwaukee in early May.
    • One device was previously located at Montrose Beach, Illinois.

MILWAUKEE - All four pyrotechnics that were previously reported missing have been accounted for, per the U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday, May 28.

Unaccounted pyrotechnics found

What we know:

The Coast Guard said the U.S. Air Force 23rd Wing provided them with the update on Wednesday night.

Alerting the public

The backstory:

Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan previously issued a warning on Tuesday, May 27 for three unaccounted phosphorous pyrotechnics that could wash ashore.

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The Coast Guard told beachgoers along Lake Michigan to remain clear and contact 911 should they locate a silver-shaped cylinder along the beach. They are phosphorous pyrotechnics that produce a red smoke and flame that can reach temperatures of 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit.

One phosphorous pyrotechnic was located on Montrose Beach, Illinois by a lifeguard on May 26.

A news release said the flares are from a joint military exercise with the Coast Guard and Air Force that occurred in early May offshore from Milwaukee. During the exercise, four phosphorous pyrotechnics that were deployed did not activate when entering the water.

Officials said these pyrotechnics were still considered armed when they do not activate.

The Source: The information in this post was provided by the U.S. Coast Guard.

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