The Bureau of Land Management is reminding the public that flying drones near wildfires is both dangerous and illegal.
When a drone is spotted in a wildfire area, all aerial firefighting operations must be shut down immediately. This can delay efforts to contain the fire and puts firefighters, nearby communities, and natural resources at greater risk.
Aerial resources—such as air tankers and helicopters—play a critical role in wildfire suppression. Unauthorized drones interfere with these operations, reducing the effectiveness of the response.
The BLM urges anyone who sees a drone near a wildfire to report it right away.
“Help us protect your public lands,” the agency said. “Keep drones away from wildfires.”