The Bureau of Land Management in Nevada is warning drone pilots to keep their aircraft away from wildfires. The federal agency says it has counted at least four incidents this year when a drone has flown in or near a wildfire zone where flights were temporarily restricted.
“We understand the interest of (drone) pilots in obtaining video another data by flying near wildfires,” said Shane McDonald, BLM fire management officer for the Carson City district. “It would be an awful tragedy if a (drone) pilot were to cause an accident that resulted in serious injuries or deaths of firefighters.”
The BLM says unauthorized flights within or near wildfires could lead fire managers to suspend aerial wildfire suppression efforts until the drone have left the restrict airspace and officials are confident it won’t return.
McDonald told KNPR drones can be a threat to helicopters or tankers flying anywhere from 100 to 500 feet off the ground trying to suppress a fire. McDonald said pilots fighting a wildfire also deal with power lines and smoke.
One of the incidents occurred earlier this year when a drone almost grounded aerial firefighting efforts during the Sand Fire that destroyed 19 homes about 35 miles northeast of Sacramento.
Drones, which are also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems or UAS, and private manned aircraft are prohibited by Temporary Flight Restrictions from flying over and near wildfires. Violations can lead to civil penalties and criminal prosecutions, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Shane McDonald, fire management officer with the Bureau of Land Management
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