Aerial firefighting has faced the constant nuisance of 21 “public drone intrusions” so far this wildfire season, according to a report by the National Joint Fire Centre.
Ten of those fires required grounding firefighting aircraft, according to data from the Boise, Idaho-based coalition of federal and state wildfire agencies, which warned that such conditions could allow the fires to grow and pose a threat to local residents.
“If firefighting aircraft are required to remain on the ground, wildfires can grow in size, significantly hindering firefighting efforts and threatening lives, homes, property and natural resources,” the partners said. said in a statement on Sunday..
The 21 intrusions so far this year have mostly occurred in the Western U.S.: five in California, three in Arizona, three in New Mexico, two in Colorado, and one each in Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Alaska. One similar incident also occurred in Florida and one in Virginia, according to agency data.
While these numbers may be confusing, the data shows that they still haven't surpassed the seasonal average for drone intrusions, which is 23. The most reported drone intrusions were recorded in 2016, when there were 41 incidents.
“Please be aware before you fly your drone,” the statement added.
