Unauthorized drone flights are rising sharply in 2026, disrupting aerial firefighting operations and increasing enforcement efforts. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As the unusually severe wildfire season in the western U.S. continues unabated, the number of incidents of drone incursions interrupting aerial firefighting operations continues to rise. According to data … [Read more...] about Drone Incursions at Wildfires Surge as Aircraft Face More Groundings
Wildfires
“If You Fly, We Can’t”: Drone Incursions Still Disrupt Wildfire Response Across the West
Five unauthorized drone flights over Oregon’s Wrights Spring Fire grounded firefighting aircraft, highlighting a growing safety problem during wildfire operations. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As massive wildfires continue to ravage vast areas of the West and northwestern U.S., the problem of unauthorized drones flying in disaster areas continues to hamper aerial … [Read more...] about “If You Fly, We Can’t”: Drone Incursions Still Disrupt Wildfire Response Across the West
FAA OKs Wildfire Drone Inspections for Verizon’s Skyward
Verizon is dialing up a new mission for its drone subsidiary – wildfire damage inspection. The telecom announced today the FAA granted Portland-based Skyward a temporary waiver allowing company pilots to fly Percepto Sparrow drones from their homes to inspect critical communications infrastructure near the Big Hollow wildfire in Washington. So far, the blaze has consumed … [Read more...] about FAA OKs Wildfire Drone Inspections for Verizon’s Skyward
Drone Spotted Over Arizona Wildfire, Forcing Setback
Safety officials across the country continue to warn drone users “Don’t fly aircraft over wildfires.” This week, Arizona State Forestry officials spotted a drone over the Coldwater fire – a blaze that has burned more than 6,000 acres of the Coconino National Forest since being sparked by a lightning strike on May 30. On Saturday, a flight coordinator saw a drone flying … [Read more...] about Drone Spotted Over Arizona Wildfire, Forcing Setback
NOAA Partners with Drone Firm To Forecast Wildfires
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is taking swift steps to predict wildfires by partnering with a drone firm. Colorado-based Black Swift Technologies recently announced the drone deal – the deployment of “a tightly integrated system consisting of an airframe, avionics, and multiple sensors capable of research-quality measurements of CO2, CO, aerosol, [and … [Read more...] about NOAA Partners with Drone Firm To Forecast Wildfires
