Firefighters were forced to halt their fire fighting efforts due to a rogue drone flying above and around the Alaskan fire. Both the FAA and the local fire department have taken to social media to share their frustrations and concerns with rogue drones around fires.
Firefighters forced to stop fighting for one hour
Earlier this week firefighters were forced to stop fire fighting efforts in response to a rogue drone. The drone was spotted flying within the temporary emergency no-fly zone put in place during all wildfires. The aerial fire team was able to resume flying around an hour after the initial sighting while severely lowering fire fighting efforts while the drone was in the air.
Rogue drones also prevent fire crews from using its drones to locate wildfires and efficiently monitor them as the risk of a mid-air collision could create more problems for the firefighters like a spot fire from the damaged batteries.
Provo Fire Department shared a poster explaining drones near fires are not safe and like, in this case, can cause aerial fire fighting to be stopped. Also pointing people flying to use the FAA’s B4UFLY app to ensure they are flying safely and legally.
Yesterday all operations had to be shut down for a while on the Alaska Fire because someone flew a drone into the area where firefighters were working. This is dangerous and could cause fatalities as drones interfere with ground and air operations. If you really need to fly your drone please download the FAA app B4UFLY which will tell you where you can and cannot fly. But also be aware that wildfires are a no drone zone with the FAA at all times.
ATTENTION #dronepilots: due to unauthorized #drone operations, @provofire had to shut down ALL #firefighting efforts on the #AlaskaFire. DO NOT operate your drone near or around #wildfires. If you fly, FIREFIGHTERS CAN’T. https://t.co/UZVUv3ocjP #NoDroneZone #FlySafe https://t.co/38E6cpcC2T
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) August 2, 2019
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