PG&E warns metallic balloons caused 12 Fresno County outages in 2026
Metallic balloons have caused 12 Fresno County outages this year, cutting service to 2,780 customers and adding up to six months of interruption.
Metallic balloons have already caused 12 Fresno County power outages in 2026, knocking out service for 2,780 customers and adding up to six months of interrupted power. Helium-filled metallic balloons can drift into overhead lines if they are not secured.
When the conductive coating or strings touch energized equipment, the result can be a short circuit, a service interruption, possible fire and damage to electrical gear. Strings can tangle in power lines, and even latex balloons can create trouble if they are released outdoors and carried into utility equipment.
In the first five months of 2026, PG&E recorded more than 100 outages tied to metallic balloons, affecting more than 46,000 customers. For Fresno neighborhoods, that can mean spoiled food, interrupted work, and added risk for residents who rely on electric medical equipment.
California law treats the outdoor release of electrically conductive balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas as illegal. Penalties can begin as an infraction and rise to a misdemeanor for repeat violations. Helium balloons should always be tethered to a weight before being used outside.
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