The state of California is once again in the middle of it’s wildfire season.  Last year California saw 8,054 wildfires resulting in 1,823,153 acres of destroyed property, more than any other region in the United States.  This year it is estimated that the state will once again be victim to more wildfires than anywhere else with upwards of 2,000,000 acres at risk.  This week California has been under an unusually long red-flag fire warning.  Most of these warnings last for a day or two, while this one has been in place for more than 67 hours.  The red-flag warning is sent out when there is an over abundance of dry air, strong winds, and parched vegetation in inland regions.

This warning is taking place in Santa Paula in the Santa Clara River Valley, one of Southern California’s most susceptible wind and fire regions.  Thursday evening a fire broke out on a Santa Paula hilltop.  The fire has been named the Maria Fire and has already burned through 8,000 acres of land.  Luckily, because of it’s elevated position firefighters were able to evacuate 7,500 residents before any harm could befall them.  The location of the fire also makes firefighters hopeful that it will soon run out of fuel and simmer out, even though the fire was still burning Friday morning.

While the conditions of the Maria Fire are as ideal as a wildfire could be, firefighters have run into an unforeseen obstacle trying to battle the blaze.  This obstacle is one that could have been 100% avoided too.  Sheriff Bill Ayub of Ventura County announced “Our firefighting aerial efforts were hampered by someone flying a small drone, apparently looking at photography of the fire.  This created quite a dangerous situation. It’s not only illegal, but it hampers our firefighting effort.  So please, anyone in the area with a desire to do such a thing refrain from doing so, let us get our airborne assets in to fight the fire and create a safe environment for everybody.”

As the wind speeds decreased over night, firefighters took to the sky in helicopters with night vision to try and get ahead of the fire’s path.  However, the helicopters had to be grounded several times as a drone got in the way.  This drone put the officers in the helicopter, those on the ground, and the surrounding areas at great risk.  There has been no statement as to whether or not the drone operator has been identified.  For now officials are more concerned with putting out the Maria Fire, along with several other fires burning throughout California.  However, if and when the pilot is caught they can face serious charges.

This is not the first time a drone has impeded firefighting procedures recently.  Before this incident the FAA had reported that in 2019 there have already been 20 cases where unauthorized drones have been flying in wildfire zones.  Of these reports, official aerial firefighting missions have been suspended 9 times.  In response to this the FAA is cracking down on these unauthorized drone operations.  If caught, the drone operator that caused firefighters to stop their proceedings with the Maria Fire could face criminal prosecution and a $25,000 fine.

Drones can be amazing tools, especially when it comes to aerial photography.  They allow us to see things from an entirely new perspective with utter clarity.  The drones can get to hard to reach or unsafe places and capture images that can astound.  Soaring over a pod of whales in the ocean, among the tree tops of eagle nests, or hanging off the edge of a cliff.  All of these are places that an authorized drone can go to bring back images like no other.  But, putting a drone in the path of those trying to save lives is never a wise or responsible action, regardless of the amazing images the drone may capture.

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