Wildfires Are No Drone Zones!

If you fly, we can’t! Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, interfere with wildland fire air traffic, such as air tankers, helicopters, and other firefighting aircraft that are necessary to suppress wildland fires. Hobbyist drones are too small for pilots to see making a mid-air collision a distinct possibility. Typically, if a drone is detected near a wildfire all firefighting aircraft must cease operations to prevent a potentially fatal accident. This prolongs firefighting operations and potentially allows wildfires to become bigger because aircraft are not able to drop water, fire retardant, monitor wildfires from above, or provide vital tactical information to firefighters on the ground. Drones can put firefighters, residents, and property at unnecessary risk.

Per the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 9212.1(f), it is illegal to resist or interfere with the efforts of firefighter(s) to extinguish a fire. Doing so can result in a significant fine and/or a mandatory court appearance. https://www.nifc.gov/drones/