Thursday, March 28, 2024

BC Wildfire Service reminds people that drones are prohibited near wildfires

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The BC Wildfire Service is reminding drone enthusiasts that the use of drones near any active wildfire is strictly prohibited after air operations on a wildfire in the province’s interior were halted on Sunday, July 22.

A helicopter that was supporting ground crews was grounded, and additional firefighting aircraft had to be diverted to avoid the air space around the Little Wilson Lake area 19 kilometres east of Nakusp because people were operating drones above the fire.

The use of drones near a wildfire is illegal, and can carry a fine of $25,000 or jail time up to 18 months under federal regulations.

Their use near a wildfire is also considered to be “interference,” as defined in Section 56 of the provincial Wildfire Act. Operators could be subject to a violation ticket fine of $1,150, and if convicted, they could be fined up to $100,000 and even face imprisonment of over a year.

Drones are restricted from coming within five nautical miles around a fire, or within an altitude of 3,000 above ground level.

“The presence of drones near an active wildfire can slow down, or completely shut down, aerial firefighting efforts, due to safety concerns,” BC Wildfire Service states. “If a drone collides with firefighting aircraft, the consequences could be deadly.”

The RCMP is working with the BC Wildfire Service to investigate the incident at Little Wilson Lake.

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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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