JACKSON, Wyo. — Public service announcement: Do not fly drones over firefighting operations.
According to a Pack Trail Fire update by Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) on Monday, Oct. 14, a drone disrupted firefighting operations on Sunday.
“Yesterday, a Drone Incursion occurred over the fire area,” BTNF posted to Facebook. “Unauthorized flights within a temporary flight restriction are highly dangerous to firefighting aircraft and illegal. DO NOT fly drones in or around the fire airspace.”
BTNF shared an image doubling down on the message. “If you fly, we can’t,” it reads.
“Flying drones or UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) within or near wildfires without permission could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper their ability to protect lives, property and natural/cultural resources,” the poster says. “Fire managers may suspend aerial firefighting until unauthorized UAS leave the area, allowing wildfire to grow larger.”
The Pack Trail Fire is now 77,559 acres in size with 639 personnel, according to BTNF. On Sunday night, Teton County Emergency Management issued a “Go!” evacuation order to residents of the Upper Gros Ventre area east of Goosewing Ranch. These are the first Teton County residents officially displaced by this wildfire.
Fremont County residents have been under varying evacuation orders for the past several weeks. On Monday, BTNF shared the current standings in the area.
“Brooks Lake Lodge, Pinnacle Cabins, Falls Camp and Long Creek have been reduced to a Level 2 ‘Set’ Evacuation Warning,” BTNF posted. “Level 3 ‘Go’ evacuation orders remain in effect for Lava Mountain Lodge and McKenzie Highland Ranch. The Dunoir Road Corridor has been reduced to a Level 1 ‘Ready’ Evacuation Warning.”
Monday’s warm and breezy weather presents “the potential for moderate fire behavior,” according to BTNF.
See www.tcincident.org for the most up-to-date evacuation information for Teton County. Track the Pack Trail Fire on InciWeb. Check on local air quality using AirNow.Gov. Find tips for dealing with wildfire smoke here.
