How ranges reveal flare sightings

Introduction

One of the most useful clues in evaluating a possible flare-related UFO report is not the appearance of the lights themselves but their location. Military training areas, air weapons ranges and live-firing zones regularly generate bright lights, pyrotechnics and illumination devices that can be seen far beyond the range boundary. When an unusual night-time sighting occurs near a known training area, investigators gain a concrete, testable hypothesis: was military activity taking place at the relevant time and in the relevant direction? The answer is often available through range notices, firing schedules, airspace information and exercise records. In the study of identified flying objects (IFOs), this geographical context can transform an otherwise mysterious report into a case that can be checked against documented activity. [GOV.UK]GOV.UKMilitary ranges firing noticesOctober 16, 2013 — 16 Oct 2013 — Military ranges firing notices. List of all UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) firing times for military range…Published: October 16, 2013

Why sightings cluster near training areas

Military training ranges exist because armed forces need large areas in which to practise air-to-ground operations, night manoeuvres and live-fire exercises. Air weapons ranges are specifically designed for aircraft using weapons, targets and training systems over controlled areas. [GOV.UK]GOV.UKscotland firing timesfiring times19 Aug 2016 — Firing times for ranges in Scotland including Barry Buddon, Kirkcudbright, Garelochhead, Tain, Cape Wrath, Fort…

For UFO investigators, this matters because training activity creates recurring patterns:

A witness who sees a line of orange lights above a distant range may have no visual reference for distance. The lights can appear to be directly over a town when they are actually many kilometres away above a designated training zone. This effect is especially common at night, over water, across deserts and in areas with few foreground landmarks.

Repeated observations from the same viewing locations can become an important clue. Long-term residents near military ranges often learn that particular lights appear during training periods, whereas visitors encountering them for the first time may interpret them as unusual aerial phenomena.

What range notices can confirm

The strongest flare hypothesis is not based on appearance alone. It is supported by records showing that military activity was authorised or expected at the time of the sighting.

In the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defence publishes firing notices and range schedules for numerous training areas. These notices identify dates and times when ranges are active and when military training is expected. Similar systems exist in many other countries. [GOV.UK]GOV.UKDartmoor firing timesJuly 4, 2013 — Warning signals: red flags by day and red lamps by night, indicate that live firing is taking place within the range bound…Published: July 4, 2013 [GOV.UK]GOV.UKMilitary ranges firing noticesOctober 16, 2013 — 16 Oct 2013 — Military ranges firing notices. List of all UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) firing times for military range…Published: October 16, 2013

When examining a report, investigators can compare:

A match does not automatically prove that a flare caused the sighting, but it changes the evidential balance. A report that occurred during an active night exercise near a known range begins with a plausible conventional explanation that can be investigated further.

This approach is valuable because it relies on external documentation rather than witness interpretation. Instead of debating whether lights “looked strange”, investigators can ask whether relevant military activity was actually occurring.

The importance of warnings and activity indicators

Many ranges use visible warnings when active. UK guidance for training areas refers to red flags by day and red lamps by night to indicate live-firing activity. Public notices routinely advise visitors to check firing schedules before entering training areas. [Dartmoor National Park]dartmoor.gov.ukDartmoor National ParkMilitary training on DartmoorPlease check the Dartmoor firing times guidance on the GOV.UK website for details of l…

Although these warnings do not identify specific flare use, they help establish that military operations were underway. A witness who reports unusual lights while active-range indicators were displayed is observing a sky environment already known to contain military activity.

How geography changes the case

Geography often determines whether a flare explanation is credible.

A sighting viewed toward a military range is different from an otherwise identical sighting viewed away from all known training areas. Investigators therefore examine terrain, distance and line of sight.

Several geographical factors increase the likelihood of flare-related misidentification:

Range geography can also magnify visibility. Powerful illumination devices may be visible at considerable distances under favourable atmospheric conditions. A witness who assumes the lights are nearby may greatly underestimate their actual distance and height.

For this reason, maps are often as important as photographs. Determining whether a witness was looking toward a known training area can be more informative than analysing the shape of a light recorded on a low-resolution video.

A practical example: the Phoenix Lights and range context

The Phoenix Lights remain one of the most discussed UFO events in history, but they also illustrate why training-range geography is such an important investigative clue.

The later phase of the event involved stationary lights seen in the direction of the Barry Goldwater Range in Arizona, a major military training area. Military explanations focused on illumination flares dropped during training activity. Whether one accepts that explanation for every aspect of the broader Phoenix Lights case, the range location itself provided investigators with a specific, testable conventional hypothesis rather than a purely speculative one. Deseret News [Phoenix New Times]phoenixnewtimes.comPhoenix New TimesPhoenix Lights explained: Everything to know about the…3 Jun 2024 — The Phoenix Lights were two separate UFO sighting…

The debate surrounding the case also demonstrates an important principle: a flare explanation may account for some observations while leaving others disputed. The presence of a nearby range does not automatically solve every detail of a UFO report, but it establishes a documented source of unusual lights that must be examined before more extraordinary conclusions are considered. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPhoenix LightsMay 7, 2026 — The Phoenix Lights were a series of widely sighted unidentified flying objects observed in the skies over the southwestern…Published: May 7, 2026 [Discovery UK]discoveryuk.comthe phoenix lights phenomenon an unsolved ufo mysteryThe Phoenix Lights Phenomenon: An Unsolved UFO Mystery14 May 2024 — Some are convinced the lights over Phoenix in 1997 were UFOs, or UAPs…Published: May 2024

Using range information as an investigative tool

For investigators examining possible flare sightings, training-range data are among the most productive sources of evidence. Rather than relying solely on witness descriptions, researchers can consult firing notices, range schedules, military airspace information and local knowledge of recurring exercises.

A sighting gains a stronger flare hypothesis when several factors align:

In the broader study of UFO reports, training ranges serve as an important reality check. They remind investigators that some of the most dramatic lights seen in the night sky originate not from unknown craft but from documented military activity occurring in places specifically designed for producing unusual aerial displays. [GOV.UK]GOV.UKscotland firing timesfiring times19 Aug 2016 — Firing times for ranges in Scotland including Barry Buddon, Kirkcudbright, Garelochhead, Tain, Cape Wrath, Fort… [GOV.UK]GOV.UKDartmoor firing timesJuly 4, 2013 — Warning signals: red flags by day and red lamps by night, indicate that live firing is taking place within the range bound…Published: July 4, 2013

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Endnotes

1. Source: GOV.UK
   Title: Military ranges firing notices
   Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/firing-notice
   Source snippet

   October 16, 2013 — 16 Oct 2013 — Military ranges firing notices. List of all UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) firing times for military range...

   Published: October 16, 2013

2. Source: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
   Link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81958640f0b62305b8fbdb/JSP403_Vol4v2_3.pdf
   Source snippet

   OF DEFENCE LAND RANGES SAFETYAir Weapons Range. A range whose principal use is for firing or launching fixed wing or helicopter mounted w...

3. Source: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
   Link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8163f5ed915d74e6231ffe/JSP403_Vol1_Part2.pdf
   Source snippet

   Part 1 of this JSP; the document is sponsored by...Read more...

4. Source: GOV.UK
   Title: scotland firing times
   Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scotland-firing-times
   Source snippet

   firing times19 Aug 2016 — Firing times for ranges in Scotland including Barry Buddon, Kirkcudbright, Garelochhead, Tain, Cape Wrath, Fort...

5. Source: data.gov.uk
   Link: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/62ac06cc-e565-45d1-b491-51d5a2e5cca5/straightpoint-and-wcta-grenade-range-firing-times
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   For comprehensive information on firing times for Straightpoint and WCTA Grenade Ranges please use...Read more...

6. Source: GOV.UK
   Title: Dartmoor firing times
   Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dartmoor-firing-times
   Source snippet

   July 4, 2013 — Warning signals: red flags by day and red lamps by night, indicate that live firing is taking place within the range bound...

   Published: July 4, 2013

7. Source: dartmoor.gov.uk
   Link: https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/living-and-working/access-and-land-management/military-on-dartmoor
   Source snippet

   Dartmoor National ParkMilitary training on DartmoorPlease check the Dartmoor firing times guidance on the GOV.UK website for details of l...

8. Source: ashpcsurrey.gov.uk
   Link: https://www.ashpcsurrey.gov.uk/mod-reminds-public-to-stay-safe-and-help-our-armed-forces-train-safely-at-ash-ranges/
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   Ash Parish CouncilMOD REMINDS PUBLIC TO STAY SAFE AND HELP OUR...19 May 2025 — Check live firing and training times before visiting Mili...

   Published: May 2025

9. Source: deseret.com
   Title: flares not ufos caused light show military says
   Link: https://www.deseret.com/1997/7/26/19325702/flares-not-ufos-caused-light-show-military-says/
   Source snippet

   Deseret NewsFlares, not UFOs, caused light show, military saysJul 26, 1997 — [Military flares]({{ 'flares/' | relative_url }}) - rather than UFOs - might be behind those m...

10. Source: Wikipedia
    Title: Phoenix Lights
    Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Lights
    Source snippet

    May 7, 2026 — The Phoenix Lights were a series of widely sighted unidentified flying objects observed in the skies over the southwestern...

    Published: May 7, 2026

11. Source: discoveryuk.com
    Title: the phoenix lights phenomenon an unsolved ufo mystery
    Link: https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/the-phoenix-lights-phenomenon-an-unsolved-ufo-mystery/
    Source snippet

    The Phoenix Lights Phenomenon: An Unsolved UFO Mystery14 May 2024 — Some are convinced the lights over Phoenix in 1997 were UFOs, or UAPs...

    Published: May 2024

12. Source: steeplelangford-pc.gov.uk
    Title: salisbury plain training area spta newsletter july 2025
    Link: https://steeplelangford-pc.gov.uk/notices/salisbury-plain-training-area-spta-newsletter-july-2025/
    Source snippet

    Members of the public are reminded NOT to access the byways when the RED FLAGS...Read more...

    Published: july 2025

13. Source: ditc.defence.gov.au
    Title: defence.gov.au Vocabulary Builder: Parts of a Firing Range
    Link: https://ditc.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-03/MilEng%20-%20VB%20-%20Parts%20of%20a%20Firing%20Range%20-%20Teachers%20copy.pdf
    Source snippet

    Builder: Parts of a Firing Range - Military English1) Label the pictures. Use the words in the box on page 3. Ask ss if they think shooti...

14. Source: phoenixnewtimes.com
    Link: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/uncategorized/phoenix-lights-ufo-mystery-explanations-19105870/
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    Phoenix New TimesPhoenix Lights explained: Everything to know about the...3 Jun 2024 — The Phoenix Lights were two separate UFO sighting...

15. Source: stampaday.wordpress.com
    Title: the phoenix lights
    Link: https://stampaday.wordpress.com/2019/03/13/the-phoenix-lights/
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    Phoenix Lights - A Stamp A DayMar 13, 2019 — Military flares such as these can be seen from hundreds of miles given ideal environmental c...

Additional References

1. Source: klickitatcounty.gov
   Link: https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/1155/Range-Commands
   Source snippet

   Range CommandsAll shooters, after benching their firearms, must step back from the firing line and stay behind the yellow line until a ho...

2. Source: facebook.com
   Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=122142241959001080&set=a.122125209837001080&type=3
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   CaylusBloxThese lights were eventually attributed by officials to military flares dropped during routine training exercises. This explana...

3. Source: reddit.com
   Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/aliens/comments/189wk23/what_is_the_general_opinion_on_the_phoenix_lights/

4. Source: reddit.com
   Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1cutdd9/what_really_where_the_phoenix_lights/
   Source snippet

   What really where the Phoenix Lights?: r/UFOsTo this day, and this one still gives me the chills. What really could it have been? Extrat...

5. Source: medium.com
   Link: https://medium.com/%40levi_27264/the-phoenix-lights-debunking-the-debunkers-f9a2d1932cd

6. Source: facebook.com
   Title: the mysteries of phoenix lightsit was the evening of march 13th 1997 when the sk
   Link: https://www.facebook.com/ufo.mysteries.angelaverdiananori/posts/the-mysteries-of-phoenix-lightsit-was-the-evening-of-march-13th-1997-when-the-sk/1369402855196229/
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   The mysteries of Phoenix lights It was the evening of March...5 Nov 2025 — The flares would have been visible in Phoenix and appeared to...

7. Source: youtube.com
   Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RXGfTEhQc0
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   29th anniversary of the Phoenix LightsA celebration of the 29th anniversary of the Phoenix Lights... Anonymous Eyewitnesses Speak Out Af...

8. Source: caa.co.uk
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   Reference: SN-2015/007; Status: Current; Version date: 07-Mar-2024. Use of the Fuel Pump...Read more...

9. Source: kgun9.com
   Link: https://www.kgun9.com/news/state/man-behind-famous-phoenix-lights-footage-still-mystified-25-years-later
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   KGUN 9 Tucson NewsMan behind famous 'Phoenix Lights' footage still mystified...18 Dec 2022 — Krzyston says before, he'd seen floating l...

10. Source: msi.admiralty.co.uk
    Title: admiralty.co.uk N P247(1) Section 1 Notice 5
    Link: https://msi.admiralty.co.uk/nms/annual/05.pdf
    Source snippet

    FIRING PRACTICE AND...Range beacons, lights and marking buoys which may be of assistance to the mariner and targets which might be a dan...