Firefighters in southern Utah had an unpleasant surprise in June.
While trying to battle a wildfire in the Pine Valley Wilderness in Washington County, drones kept flying overhead.
The drones prevented fire crews from sending up their own planes to douse the fire.
Well, Utah acted quickly to make sure that wouldn't happen again.
Law enforcement has the power now to disable drones that get too close.
Don Ipson is a Republican representative from St. George who sponsored the drone bill.
He told KNPR's State of Nevada that the bill expanded powers already given to firefighters and law enforcement in a bill passed earlier in the session.
“It increased the fines and the penalties over what the original bill had had" he said, "And it gave them the ability to neutralize the drone if necessary… and it gave the ability of the judges to ask for restitution for extra costs.”
By "neutralize," Ipson said that meant any means necessary to get them out of the way.
"Shoot 'em down," he said was one way, but they can also be blocked or sent back to the person flying them through special technology.
Ipson said in the five cases where drones were spotted near fires this past summer one forced aircraft to land and the fire was able to expand.
Besides the practical parts of the bill, it also sends a clear statement.
“They wanted to send a message we’re not going to support irresponsible use of the drones,” he said.
Rep. Don Ipson (R-St. George)
