Why it's dangerous, harmful for the public to fly drones above wildfires

Drones flying near or above wildfires can interfere with aerial firefighting missions, and if firefighting operations stop, it can cost people their lives.

Aerial firefighting missions usually occur at or below 200 feet above the ground, which is the same airspace where most drones fly.

“Flying a drone near aerial firefighting aircraft doesn’t just pose a hazard to the pilots,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “When aircraft are grounded because an unmanned aircraft is in the vicinity, lives are put at greater risk.”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), if unauthorized drones are spotted near a wildfire, firefighting aircraft must often land due to safety concerns. This could decrease the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations, allowing wildfires to grow larger, and in some cases, threaten lives, property and valuable natural and cultural resources.

If you fly a drone without authorization over a wildfire, you may be violating federal, state, and local laws, regulations and ordinances, regardless of whether the FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR).

“The FAA’s top priority is safety. If you endanger manned aircraft or people on the ground with an unmanned aircraft, you could be liable for a fine ranging from $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.

It is illegal to interfere with the efforts of firefighters to extinguish a fire, including flying a drone around a wildfire firefighting operation. Doing so can result in a significant fine and mandatory court appearance.

“Know the rules before you fly. If you don’t, serious penalties could be coming your way for jeopardizing these important missions," Huerta said.

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