Townreels 
A new warning to keep drones away from wildfires like one in Dauphin County that saw an unwanted drone flying around, endangering first responders.The state of Pennsylvania is reminding drone owners to avoid areas where wildfires happen especially areas with a high risk, such as mountain areas.”We need safe and clear air space,” said Wesley Robinson, a spokesman with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.Robinson said a drone was spotted on April 11 while planes and helicopters were brought in to fight a wildfire on Peter’s Mountain.”Local law enforcement approached the person flying the drone and told them to leave and they did,” he said.The incident prompted one fire company to warn drone pilots on social media: ‘If you fly, we can’t.’ An aircraft used to fight fires fly at low altitudes and high speed and could hit a drone.”Let’s say you hit a propeller plane or helicopter and that can prevent firefighting,” Robinson said.The federal government usually places flight restrictions barring drone flights around wildfires. Even if there is no formal restriction, the Federal Aviation Administration says interfering with firefighting operations on public lands can carry a 12-month prison term and drone pilots who interfere with wildfire suppression could also receive a fine of more than $37,000.Robinson said no drone picture or video is worth risking lives.”Get the drone down and get out of the way. Let the first responders do their jobs,” he said.Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with the FAA in an investigation into the drone flight near the Peter’s Mountain wildfire.
A new warning to keep drones away from wildfires like one in Dauphin County that saw an unwanted drone flying around, endangering first responders.
The state of Pennsylvania is reminding drone owners to avoid areas where wildfires happen especially areas with a high risk, such as mountain areas.
“We need safe and clear air space,” said Wesley Robinson, a spokesman with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Robinson said a drone was spotted on April 11 while planes and helicopters were brought in to fight a wildfire on Peter’s Mountain.
“Local law enforcement approached the person flying the drone and told them to leave and they did,” he said.
The incident prompted one fire company to warn drone pilots on social media: ‘If you fly, we can’t.’ An aircraft used to fight fires fly at low altitudes and high speed and could hit a drone.
“Let’s say you hit a propeller plane or helicopter and that can prevent firefighting,” Robinson said.
The federal government usually places flight restrictions barring drone flights around wildfires. Even if there is no formal restriction, the Federal Aviation Administration says interfering with firefighting operations on public lands can carry a 12-month prison term and drone pilots who interfere with wildfire suppression could also receive a fine of more than $37,000.
Robinson said no drone picture or video is worth risking lives.
“Get the drone down and get out of the way. Let the first responders do their jobs,” he said.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is working with the FAA in an investigation into the drone flight near the Peter’s Mountain wildfire.
