New Group Hopes To Set Standards For Ballooning In Temecula

TEMECULA (AP) — A new balloon association hopes to deflate anger from rural Riverside County folks who say the colorful craft drop onto their vineyards and scare their horses.

The Temecula Valley Balloon Association hopes to set standards for ballooning in the 12-square mile wine country area east of Temecula.

Balloons have been a tourist draw there since at least the 1970s but explosive growth has gobbled up the open fields where they used to land.

Some people have complained that ground crews that recover the balloons have trespassed, cut down gates and caused other damage.

Sheriff's Capt. Andre O'Harra tells the Riverside Press-Enterprise that it's hard to cite balloonists for trespassing because they must have deliberately ignored "no trespassing" signs -- and it's hard to see them from the air.

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