08/19/19 Aviation Over Wildfires

Pilots and Drone Operators are responsible for knowing where they are permitted to operate.  When pilots don't pay attention, it can cause serious impacts to firefighter safety.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for air space over the Swan Lake Fire. This is also called a TFR and it is the responsibility of any pilot to reference this TFR before planning their flight. 

Current Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Swan Lake Fire as of 8/19/19 (9/3271 NOTAM)

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) also known as drones are not permitted in TFRs either.  In fact, drones are not permitted to operate on National Wildlife Refuges.  So, although capturing the action is an attractive concept, drones aren't the way to do it.  

Flying drones near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters as a result of an aircraft collision. In addition, if an un-permitted drone is spotted over a fire, any aircraft working on the fire must be immediately grounded until the drone has left the area or has been accounted for. This could result in fires growing larger and hampering firefighters' ability to protect lives, property and natural cultural resources.

Please help us keep firefighters safe and DO NOT fly drones near fires.