MARION, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say the chemical that rained down on a northeast Marion neighborhood was a fungicide. Several people called 911 Tuesday night after noticing a white substance on vehicles and houses. The Marion Fire Department said in a news release Thursday that tests show the substance has components commonly found in a field treatment used by farmers.

Iowa public health officials say that after 12 hours, lawns or vegetation exposed to the fungicide weren’t expected to pose health risks to people. Officials say exposed hard surfaces should be cleaned with soapy water, and all clothes and bare skin that were covered by the substance should be washed. The incident is still being investigated.

Dozens of hot air balloons will be flying over south-central Iowa over the next 9 days and nights. Indianola has hosted the National Balloon Classic, billed as “one of the largest and longest hot air balloon events in the Midwest,” for over 40 years. Jim Fromm, who serves on the National Balloon Classic board, says spectators will watch nearly 100 balloons decorate the sky.

“We had 86 registered pilots, so around 90 or so balloons will be here,” Fromm said. This year’s event launches tonight (Friday) and runs through August 6. There are evening flights combined with live music each night beginning at 6 p.m. The morning launches are scheduled each day at 6:30 a.m., but balloons will also fill the sky even earlier in the morning on both Saturdays and next Wednesday morning.

“There’s ‘Dawn Patrol,’ which is an unusual happening with balloons. Typically, we don’t fly with any aircraft lights on, but for (dawn patrol) we do hang lights on…and launch before sunrise, in the dark,” Fromm said. “We launch and fly for an hour or two, until the sun comes up. Everytime we hit the burner, the whole balloon lights up and that is very impressive.”

Similarly, “Nite Glow” events are scheduled after sunset this Sunday, next Wednesday (8/3), and next Friday (8/5). Learn more at: nationalballoonclassic.com.

(Radio Iowa)