Inland Empire Deputies Pull Over Hot Air Balloons

YUCAIPA, CA -- Deputies on Tuesday pulled over two hot air balloons after they were reportedly flying too close to homes in the Inland Empire. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said deputies were dispatched to a Yucaipa neighborhood after dispatchers received numerous calls about the balloons possibly crashing.

Deputies at the scene said a green and a blue balloon came within five feet of rooftops and hitting trees.

Deputies were able to make contact with both pilots, and requested them to land immediately. One balloon was able to safely land in the high school baseball field, and the second balloon also landed safely in the oranges groves of a private residence in Mentone, officials said.

Deputies identified both pilots, who were apparently hot air balloon enthusiasts and were flying their privately owned balloons for personal use.

The sheriff's report will be forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration for further review of any possible FAA violations, officials said.

No one was injured and no property was damaged, officials said.

Anyone with additional information about this incident, is urged to contact Detective Donald Patton at the Yucaipa Police & Sheriff’s Station at (909) 918-2305.

--Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department