they are not dangerous. If they were, then no insurance company would every cover them, but they do. Like airplanes, there are various levels of licenses. At the commercial level, the balloon operator is very skilled, and knows how to be safe. They do hundreds of flights a month, its all good, believe you me. It will be a blast, its so quiet in between burner blasts, and the sound of the burner just gives you goose bumps, its just the sound of nasty pissed off fire. Enjoy the trip, post some pictures when its over with. 