As the season warms, fire season is just around the corner. Unmanned aircraft systems, better known as drones, are causing increasing problems for firefighters on wildland fires. The Intermountain Region of the US Forest Service which includes the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forests is admonishing curiosity-seekers NOT to launch a drone to get a better view of what’s going on. This could be fatal for someone and it is against the law. Doing so, they explain can result in a significant fine of over $20,000 and potential criminal prosecution., but more importantly, if there are drones in the air, air tankers, helicopters and other firefighting aircraft necessary to suppress wildland fires cannot be. Firefighters working on the ground who rely on these aircrafts are left without help from above jeopardizing their safety.Often a temporary flight restriction is put in place around wildfires to protect firefighting aircraft. This also prolongs firefighting operations and often wildfires become larger when aircraft are not able to drop fire retardant, water, monitor wildfires from above, or provide tactical information to firefighters. Homes and other values at risk could burn needlessly. The regional forest officials point out that no amount of video or photos are worth the consequences.
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