At this point, it should go without saying: flying your drone near a wildfire is reckless, dangerous and illegal. Yet, the message hasn’t sunk in for everyone, as evidenced by recent news from the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles amidst all of the Los Angeles wildfires.
On Thursday, Jan. 9, fire officials informed the Federal Aviation Administration that a firefighting aircraft struck a drone while operating over the Palisades Fire, which has ravaged parts of Los Angeles.
The firefighting aircraft landed safely, but this incident could have had far worse consequences — for all parties involved.
The FAA is investigating the flight to find out the pilot behind it — but the pilot, if caught, could still face severe consequences as is. Interfering with firefighting efforts on public lands is a federal crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison, and the FAA can impose civil penalties of up to $75,000 for interfering with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations during Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
In short, don’t be the person flying drones over the Los Angeles wildfires, as it could cause damage and injury during an already devastating event — and it could put you in jail and/or with a huge fine.
Why flying drones near the Los Angeles wildfires is problematic
Firefighting aircraft, such as helicopters and airtankers, often operate at very low altitudes, just a few hundred feet above the ground. This is the same airspace where drones are commonly flown. Even a momentary distraction or a midair collision with a drone could lead to catastrophic accidents, jeopardizing the lives of pilots, firefighters and people on the ground.
When drones are spotted in wildfire zones, fire response agencies often have no choice but to ground their aircraft to avoid potential collisions. This delays critical firefighting efforts, allowing fires to spread unchecked and putting more lives, property and natural habitats at risk.
Know the rules (and pay attention to Temporary Flight Restrictions)
To protect firefighting operations, the FAA frequently implements TFRs around wildfires. These restrictions prohibit all aircraft, including drones, from flying in the designated area unless specifically authorized. In the case of the Palisades Fire, no one unaffiliated with the firefighting operations was authorized to fly in the restricted area.
However, even in the absence of a TFR, drone pilots should steer clear of wildfire zones. It’s a federal crime to interfere with firefighting aircraft regardless of whether restrictions are formally in place. The FAA takes these violations seriously and will pursue swift enforcement actions against offenders.
What about media operations?
YouTube and media really doesn’t need your amateur video of the Los Angeles wildfires. Though, some media outlets do fly drones over natural disasters — though even they need FAA permission.
For media professionals, the FAA has a special approval process to ensure that drone operations don’t interfere with firefighting missions or other emergency response activities. To qualify, you must:
- Be an existing Part 107 Remote Pilot (find out how to get your drone pilot’s license here).
- Have the support of the on-scene commander.
- Submit an application for approval through the FAA’s System Operations Support Center.
Once approved, you must coordinate closely with the on-scene commander at all times and avoid interfering with aviation operations.
A call to action for the drone community
Flying your drone near a wildfire is dangerous, illegal, and irresponsible. It’s not worth the risk to public safety, and it’s certainly not worth the penalties
As members of the drone community, we have a responsibility to self-police and educate others about the dangers of flying near wildfires. If you see someone operating a drone near a wildfire, report it immediately to local law enforcement and the nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office. By taking action, we can help prevent incidents like the Palisades Fire drone strike and ensure that irresponsible pilots don’t ruin this hobby for everyone.
Recent political efforts, such as proposed bans on Chinese-made drones, indicate that overregulation is already a looming threat. Let’s not give policymakers more reasons to impose blanket restrictions on drone use. And with that, let’s work together to protect the skies and ensure that drones remain a tool for good, not a hindrance in times of crisis.
The post Los Angeles wildfires PSA (again): don’t fly drones during natural disasters appeared first on The Drone Girl.