The 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will have a safety focus, both on the ground and in the air, an event spokesperson said Wednesday.
“Balloon Fiesta aims to create a secure and enjoyable environment where everyone can experience the magic of the flying events without concerns for their well-being,” Tom Garrity said. “To ensure a safe experience, Balloon Fiesta has implemented comprehensive safety measures in collaboration with leading security agencies.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is helping with air safety, Garrity said, by establishing a four-mile temporary flight restriction zone around Balloon Fiesta Park. That means other aircraft, including planes, helicopters and drones, will need permission to enter the area.
Garrity said the pilots are the “stars of the show,” and therefore the Balloon Fiesta is an invitational event. Pilots who want to participate must apply in January. The application process includes inquiries about each pilot’s experience and certifications.
“There’s already a certain amount of vetting before they even get to the event,” Garrity said.
Upon arrival, he said, pilots and crews have to watch safety videos before they can receive final clearance.
Finally, the balloons won’t go up unless the weather is suitable. Garrity said winds faster than 10 knots, (about 11.5 mph) visibility of less than 3 miles and rain or clouds below 1,500 feet could mean delayed or canceled morning launches.
For evening events, he said, rain or excessive wind will cancel or delay static illumination of inflated balloons, though fireworks shows can still go on in winds of up to 20 mph.
Garrity said first responders from various agencies will be on hand to keep the peace and address any issues that come up. Those include police from Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, sheriff’s deputies from Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, local fire departments, Lovelace Hospital and state and federal law enforcement.
On the ground, Garrity said, guests can expect increased use of metal detectors at entry points, along with bag searches and credential and pass verifications. He said event management contractor SecurEvent Solutions will operate “express lanes” at select gates, for guests carrying clear bags or no bags.
Public Service Company of New Mexico Wednesday hosted a safety demonstration for first responders, centered on what to do if a balloon gets caught in power lines.
A balloon and gondola were draped over a de-energized power line at the Reeves Generation Station as a visual aid.
“Preparedness is important for an incident like this,” said Andrew Cusimano, manager of metro distribution line operations for PNM. “We always hope for an incident-free Balloon Fiesta, but should a balloon hit a power line, it’s imperative that PNM and local first responder groups continue to work cohesively to respond and keep everyone safe.”
Touching a balloon caught in power lines could cause a chain reaction that can injure both those in the balloon’s gondola and anyone attempting to provide help, PNM Spokesperson Eric Chavez said.
“While it can be our natural instinct to want to run in and help others, there is no way for a casual observer to know if a power line is carrying electricity or has been de-energized by the balloon accident,” he said. Chavez advises witnesses to stay back and call PNM or 911.
He also offered a reminder for drivers to keep their eyes on the road, despite whatever colorful temptations the skies might contain.
“Pull over in a safe location to watch and take pictures of the balloons,” Chavez said.
The event runs from Oct. 5 to Oct. 13. Garrity said 566 pilots are expected to launch. They’ll come from 45 states and 15 foreign countries, including the event’s first-ever participants from North Macedonia.