UFO identified as flare in Fairbanks

Summary

In December 1956, a sighting was reported in Fairbanks, Alaska, involving a circular object displaying red, white, and green colors with a tail. Witnesses included a tower operator and two pilots, who observed the object for a few seconds. Initially thought to be a meteor or jet aircraft, these were ruled out due to the absence of sound and no known aircraft in the area. The investigation concluded it was a flare fired by unknown individuals, a common occurrence in the area according to police reports.

Official analysis confirmed it was not a conventional unidentified flying object but a pyrotechnic device. Despite multiple previous flare reports in the area, authorities had not identified the responsible person. This case illustrates how witness accounts and inter-agency cooperation help clarify seemingly mysterious sightings.