The Spokane Complex fires continue burning with thousands of families still evacuated, but unauthorized drones have been making the firefighting more dangerous by getting in the way.
The unauthorized drones are flying into restricted airspace over fire zones and are forcing aerial firefighting operations to stop all over the city.
A recent press release from the Washington State Patrol explains how drone pilots are interfering with an active disaster response aimed at saving both lives and property.
The Number of Drone Interference Calls in Spokane Is Alarming
The FBI Counter UAS Task Force, a coalition that includes the King County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle Police Department, and Washington State Patrol, has deployed specialized drone-detection equipment around the Spokane Complex fire zone.
On August 2, the system detected 26 unauthorized drones operating in restricted airspace. The next day, on August 3, there were another 13 unauthorized drones detected.
At least once, aerial firefighting operations were forced to stop entirely because of these incursions. In one of the interviews I heard over the weekend, a fire chief described his team being delayed for hours in a single day because of multiple unauthorized drones causing interference.
Air tankers and helicopters dropping retardant and water on active fires had to stand down because someone wanted drone footage of the disaster, which allows the fire to keep burning.
The Airspace Is Restricted, and Enforcement Is Active
The FAA Temporary Flight Restriction covering the Spokane Complex fires prohibits all unauthorized aircraft, including drones, from the area around the clock.
This is not a suggestion.
Operating a drone in restricted airspace is illegal and carries both civil and criminal penalties.
Read More: That’s Not Tint! Washington State Trooper Tickets Soot-Covered VW
Read More: Car Cuddle? Rear-End Romance on I-5 Leaves Drivers Unhappy
Seahawks Celebrate 60 – Seattle, Washington
Gallery Credit: Aj Brewster