FAA Urges Drone Pilots to Avoid Wildfire Areas to Prevent Accidents and Delays in Firefighting Efforts A drone collided with a firefighting aircraft over the Palisades fire on Thursday, grounding the firefighting aircraft and raising concerns about drone safety near active wildfires. The FAA and local officials are emphasizing the dangers of unauthorized drone flights in … [Read more...] about Drone Collision with Firefighting Aircraft Highlights Safety Risks in Restricted Airspace
drones and wildfires
FAA Won’t Charge Rogue Drone Pilot Who Stopped Firefighting
A rogue drone pilot won’t feel the FAA’s heat despite causing the suspension of aerial firefighting operations. Last week, FAA officials told the Arizona Daily Star they would not prosecute an unidentified person who flew a drone over restricted airspace at the Bighorn wildfire scene in Arizona. The agency wouldn’t say when the drone flight took place and refused to … [Read more...] about FAA Won’t Charge Rogue Drone Pilot Who Stopped Firefighting
Drone Footage of California Fire Devastation
The value of drone video and photos is amply illustrated in the coverage of the ongoing fires ravaging northern California. The footage captures a perspective we often didn't see and can relay the scope of the devastation in a way traditional photography could not. The following video is courtesy of The Guardian: The New York Times also has compelling drone footage of … [Read more...] about Drone Footage of California Fire Devastation
US Gov Partners with DJI, Drone Industry
The US Department of the Interior has announced a collaboration with industry partners DJI, AirMap, and Skyward in an attempt to keep drones away from wildfires. In an announcement yesterday, the US Department of the Interior (DOI) says that they have released a prototype warning system with industry partners to provide real-time alerts and geofencing alarms to drone … [Read more...] about US Gov Partners with DJI, Drone Industry
Flyers Beware: One State Makes it Legal to Shoot a Drone
Drone operators flying in the state of Utah will need to be especially careful not to fly in restricted areas: Utah has just become the only state to make it legal to shoot a drone. Gov. Gary Herbert signed a bill this week which would allow officials to "neutralize" any drone flying in the restricted area around wildfires. The move comes after firefighters working on the … [Read more...] about Flyers Beware: One State Makes it Legal to Shoot a Drone
