October 12, 2024

Lee’s Summit Fire Department crews were called on last week to recover a downed weather balloon in the area of NW Donovan and Obrien Road.

“During a career at the fire department, you can run into some pretty unusual things, but in my 35 years of service, this was my first weather balloon,” said Captain Shawn Burgess.

The balloon was from the NOAA National Weather Service and had retrieved all the information it needed and reached the end of its service life. Instructions on the device say to recycle or dispose of properly.