The safety device, known as a flare, is used so infrequently that the refinery now warns neighbors when operators do need to use it, to ensure the public isn’t unnecessarily alarmed.

Since a large solar flare can cause double the annual exposure limit, action needs to be taken. The remedy is for planes to lower their altitude or change or cancel flight paths altogether.

A man who witnessed an American Airlines plane crash has described seeing a ‘white flare' as it collided with helicopter.