Airport Imposes Curbs on Hot Air Balloons

Colorful hot air balloons that paint the sky over Sonoma County vineyards may soon be a memory because of airport restrictions on launching and landing.

Officials fear the county might be held liable if a balloon accident happened on county land. In 1999, a balloon crash-landed north of the airport, injuring 17 people.

The county adopted tough rules for balloon landings at the airport last year. And last month, the county barred balloonists from using a popular site near the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.

County officials say any balloon pilot who takes off or lands at the airport without clearance will be charged with trespassing.