If you own a drone and see smoke or even flames do not let your curiosity get the best of you. Flying a drone near a wildfire is not only dangerous it is also illegal* and doing so can result in a significant fine of over $20,000 and potential criminal prosecution.
Last year, 2018, the National Interagency Fire Center Reported 28 UAS incursions during active wildland fires. In almost every instance, aviation operations were affected. When a drone is spotted, aircraft immediately cease firefighting operations and land for safety. Even a tiny drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with aircraft.
Be smart and don’t fly your drone anywhere near a wildfire. No amount of video or photos are worth the consequences.
*Per the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 9212.1(f), it is illegal to resist or interfere with the efforts of firefighter(s) to extinguish a fire.
