PG&E Notifies Hot Air Balloons Not To Fly Amid Yountville Safety Work

YOUNTVILLE, CA — As part of PG&E's safety inspection this month of its natural gas pipeline between Napa and Yountville, PG&E announced it will operate enclosed natural gas combustors Tuesday morning just north of Yountville.

From 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, the combustors that are temporarily set up along Highway 29 near Yount Mill Road will have a hot discharge of combusted gas. The discharge could impact aircraft within 200-400 feet above the 25- to 35-foot-tall enclosed combustion devices, PG&E Spokesperson Megan McFarland said.

PG&E notified local hot air balloon companies they should avoid the location if any ballooning operations were planned during this time. Drone and other aircraft operators should also be aware, McFarland said.

PG&E will conduct similar combustion operations from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, June 12-25.

The pipeline inspections are taking place through the month of June and support the safe, reliable delivery of natural gas in the Napa area. PG&E does not expect any disruption to natural gas service for customers while the work is conducted, McFarland told Patch.