In the first four months of 2022, metallic balloons striking electric lines have caused nearly 152 power outages in PG&E’s service area alone, disrupting service to more than 56,000 customers.
These power outages can interrupt electric service to critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, and traffic signals.
PG&E’s Asset Failure Analysis team found that a greater percentage of fires caused by balloons were larger than 1/4 acre compared to fires attributed to other common ignition sources tracked by PG&E.
Ignitions caused by metallic balloons are increasing in frequency. There were 21 ignitions in 2019, 22 in 2020 and 31 in 2021: a total increase of 48 percent from 2019. Balloon-caused outages are most common in the late spring and early summer when customers are celebrating a variety of holidays and special occasions.
“We’re seeing a troubling trend of metallic balloons floating into our electric lines and starting fires. This time of year is “celebration season” – Mother’s Day, graduation ceremonies, summer parties, Memorial Day and Father’s Day – and we often see a spike in balloon-caused outages. That’s why we’re urging everyone to keep the weight attached to the metallic balloon if you plan to use them in your celebration,” said Andy Abranches, PG&E Senior Director of Risk Management.
10 comments
We had one in the power lines by the house.
Do they want calls when you see one? If so, who are you supposed to contact?
We had one near our house and it was sparking between 2 lines. Called PGE and others did also. They sent out someone. Took awhile though and by that time there was a small outage and the baloon burst and fell to the ground. Lucky that a neighbor saw it stamped out a small fire that started. Close call.
There is a lot going on out there.
.
I’m surprised that CA liberals haven’t passed a law to ban metallic balloons.
.
Liberals and conservatives should both be in favor of banning metallic balloons. Their cost to our communities far exceeds any brief decorative value they may have.
Oh my!
How am I going to charge my electric car?
(Sarcasm)
BLM
#BalloonLivesMatter
Just ban em.
The California Liberals haven’t passed a law to ban metallic balloons because such a law would actually make sense. C’mon, man! This is NOT hyperbole. Look folks, I’m not kiddin’ This is not a joke. I grew up in a small town called Bum*uck. My grand father used to say, well……ya know…….Oh, you KNOW the thing! Aaaanyway…..(deep sigh)……Sound familiar? 🙄
Quick, someone hand our Governor a metallic baloon!
Comments are closed.