The releasing of Chinese lanterns into the skies from Essex County Council property has been banned with immediate effect.
The authority, which owns buildings and the majority of roads in the county and subsequently surrounding land, says the popular practice risks fires, endangers wildlife and creates litter.
It will simply ask those releasing any kind of lantern into the sky to vacate its property.
Sky lanterns – also known as Kongming lanterns – are small hot air balloons powered by a candle.
Councillor Roger Hirst, cabinet member for libraries, communities and planning, said: "While these lanterns may look nice when you launch them they can cause untold damage to our countryside, our wildlife and to our businesses.
"The remains of the lanterns can damage farming machinery if it gets caught up in its parts, start fires if still alight when they land, cause panic among and even kill animals, let alone becoming a litter nuisance."
National Farmers Union deputy president Minette Batters said: "We are pleased that Essex County Council has taken the decision to ban lanterns on its land. We realise that lanterns can be quite spectacular but our members know only too well how they can harm and even kill farm animals.
"They can also cause fires to crops, grassland on moors and bales of hay and straw that have been stacked, which can lead to a loss of buildings."
Dawn Avery, RSPCA chief inspector for Essex, said cattle have died as a result of the lanterns.
She said: "They may appeal to some as an unusual way to mark the various celebrations at this time of year, but if used carelessly they can terrify, injure and kill animals.
"Cattle have died after bits of sky lanterns have fallen into their feed, and scraps of the items landing in a field could be eaten by any animal from a horse to a pet dog with fatal consequences."
The council will also write to anyone who leases buildings or land giving their advice.
