wildfires Archives - Unmanned Systems Source

FAA Warns Drone Flyers: Save a Life, Stay Away from Wildfires

If you fly your drone anywhere near a wildfire, you could get someone killed. That’s the stern warning the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. wildland fire agencies have for pilots of unmanned aircraft who interfere with fighting wildfires. Unauthorized drone flights are a serious risk to first responders and anyone in the fire’s path.

Authorized missions only

Authorized drone missions by the proper authorities can yield valuable information to firefighters. Such missions help detect hotspots, chart a fire’s spread and the progress in controlling a blaze. But when an unauthorized drone is spotted, it may force all authorized helicopter and airplane operations to cease. Unauthorized drone flights create collision hazards to firefighting aircraft. They also distract pilots who are already operating in stressful and challenging conditions. Wildland fire agency reports give a sense of how a single errant drone can disrupt operations: “Drone spotted by pilot at eye level during [helicopter] bucket work… spotted a drone over fire. All helicopter operations shut down…UAS incursion stopped aerial firefighting assets… UAS intrusion into TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction). Helicopters disengaged from fire….” A disruption to any efforts to fight wildfires is incredibly dangerous...and simply not worth it.

Disruptions can cost a life

“If you own a drone, DO NOT fly near or over a wildfire,” said Dan Elwell, FAA Acting Administrator. “It’s against the law, and firefighting aircraft could be grounded, disrupting time-critical firefighting efforts. Your hobby is not worth another person’s life.” “Most members of the public would never dream of standing in front of a fire engine to stop it from getting to a wildfire, but that’s essentially what they’re doing to aerial firefighting aircraft when they fly a drone over or near a wildfire,” said Jennifer Jones, spokesperson with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. If unauthorized drone operations interfere with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response efforts, those drone operators could face civil penalties that exceed $20,000 and potential criminal prosecution. Anyone who witnesses or has information about an unauthorized drone flight over or near a wildfire should immediately contact local law enforcement. Deterring interference with first responders, as well as giving way to other aircraft in the sky, becomes more important as drone use expands exponentially. The FAA’s rules for flying unmanned aircraft are clear: Keep your drone away from other aircraft operations, including aerial firefighting missions. You just might save someone’s life.

Wildfire Operations & Temporary Flight Restrictions

"Know Before You Fly" Urges Operators to Stay Away from Wildfires, Adhere to Temporary Flight Restrictions

WASHINGTON — The Know Before You Fly campaign today urged operators of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to respect temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) over and around wildfires as this year’s wildfire season makes an early start.

Wildfires or other hazardous conditions often lead to authorities putting in place TFRs, which allow first responders to do their jobs unimpeded and without danger to their aerial support.

Temporary Flight Restrictions

Violating the TFR may endanger the safety of the operation, and in some cases may ground search and rescue crews until the airspace is cleared, allowing the wildfire to spread. But TFRS do not just apply to wildfires.

For stadium events ranging from concerts to NASCAR races to the Super Bowl, model aircraft flights and unmanned aircraft operations are generally restricted. More information about the types of TFRs may be found here.

To check for TFRs in your area, visit the FAA TFR list at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html. Additionally, download the FAA’s B4UFLY app, available on the App Store or Google Play, to find up-to-date information on TFRs.

No one should be flying within a TFR that restricts UAS and/or model aircraft operations.

Standard flight guidelines for operators

At all other times when flight is permitted, Know Before You Fly would like to remind recreational flyers to follow these guidelines to keep the skies safe for all:

Fly no higher than 400 feet
Fly within visual line of sight
Stay well clear of other aircraft
Never fly within 5 miles of an airport without contacting airport authorities or air traffic control
Keep well away from emergency response efforts, such as fires
Beware of FAA airspace requirements (http://www.faa.gov/uas/tfr/)
Don’t fly under the influence
Register your device before your first flight (http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/register-your-drone/)

If you are flying for commercial purposes, please adhere to the FAA small UAS regulations, which can be found here.

Know Before You Fly was launched by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) in partnership with the FAA with the goal of spreading awareness about safe and responsible use of UAS. For more information on safe and responsible flying, visit KnowBeforeYouFly.org or follow @FlyResponsibly on Twitter.

Tag - wildfires