A couple of years ago, a co-worker told me that a couple of friends of his who lived in Long Beach, CA had been releasing hot-air balloons over a period of a few years, which had caused a rash of UFO reports. Videos labeled “Long Beach UFO” have shown up on youtube, and it’s amusing to see the comments. It’s more likely even more amusing for the culprits, who have so far chosen to remain anonymous, unlike the two New Jersey men who made their hi-jinks a one-time event, and did it specifically to egg the faces of UFO believers.
This video appears to show balloons or plastic bags hovering in the twilight.
This segment, reportedly from an infrared camera mounted on a helicopter owned by the Long Beach Police Department, seems to show hot wax from candles or heated fuel dropping from a balloon as it is buffeted by wind. Comments at youtube point out that the object appears to take off at high speed, which could just as well be the helicopter moving away, as well as the effects of winds at altitude, or a combination of the two.
A sighting from March 17th with some strange photos doesn’t hold up to the balloon explanation, although the photos are indistinct and could be due to a reflection. This would also need to be coupled to an attempt at a hoax as well, since the witness has come forward with a detailed description (at least on the website.) Perhaps the other “more than 60″ photos she says that she took that night might give a better idea of what was going on.
I still don’t understand why I never see any UFOs around here. Everyone else does. I did see flying bowling balls a couple of months ago, but I also saw them shot into the air, so it wasn’t really a mystery.
May 13 2009 
May 14th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Wouldn’t the spilling hot wax or heated fuel cause the balloon to ignite in flames?
Not that I think the video shows anything interesting.
May 17th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I don’t think so. It might just drop from the balloon. Wax isn’t flammable, but petroleum would be.
I was just trying to make a point that people will sometimes examine things ad infinitum without considering the obvious or mundane first.
Like we haven’t done that enough before on this site!