$75,000 in rewards offered to catch operators who flew

drones above fires

San Bernardino County supervisors unanimously agreed Tuesday in order to supply $75,000 in
benefits pertaining to aid in tracking down drone operators which interfered together with
firefighters throughout three significant wildfires this summer.
After the actual unmanned devices were spotted flying higher than flames and smoke from the
blazes this season -- that altogether burned about 36,000 acres -- fire crews were instructed to
ground water-dropping aircraft. Officials stated the delays permitted the fires in order to spread,
leading to devastating property losses.
The five-member board hopes in which by giving the particular advantages -- $25,000 pertaining to
every fire in which found interruptions through drones -- investigators could probably get ideas to
recognize your drone operators along with prosecute them.
"This type of activity just isn't heading to be tolerated when first responders are generally seeking to
put out fires which drastically affect your constituents regarding San Bernardino County,"
mentioned Board associated with Supervisors Chairman James Ramos.
None of the drone operators has been identified. The Particular reward allows county officials to
launch a new hotline to always be able to collect details about suspected drone operators, Ramos
said.
Drones very first became a problem in the county throughout the Lake fire, which usually ignited
June 17 as well as burned through a lot a lot more than 31,000 acres associated with wildlands
inside the San Bernardino National Forest as well as neighborhood San Gorgonio Wilderness.
Low-flying aircraft were preparing to drop fire retardant more than flames within the Barton Flats
region whenever a 3- in order to 4-foot drone has been seen buzzing between a couple of planes.
Fire officials right away grounded your aircraft. Fire officials later noticed the 2nd drone inside the
area.
On July 12 -- the first day in the Mill two fire -- officials had to briefly suspend any tanker after a
drone ended up being spotted flying over Mill Creek Canyon near California 38.
And for about 25 minutes, officials had to halt tankers more than your July 17 North fire, which in
turn jumped Interstate 15 near California 138 as well as destroyed dozens of vehicles, U.S. Forest
Support officials said.
Drones pose the significant danger to firefighters, pilots along with aircraft, officials say. Any
collision between a new drone and aircraft flying from low altitude could result in significant
damage and also potentially injure the particular pilot and also crew about board.
U.S. Forest Services officials mentioned they'll continue to stop helicopters as well as air tankers via
dropping fire retardant over any fire until they can confirm the devices have gone your area.
New legislation, if passed, could allow firefighters and law enforcement to consider down any drones
hindering emergency operations.

The proposed law, launched by simply Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) and state Sen. Ted
Gaines (R-El Dorado), would give firefighters as well as other 1st responders immunity whenever
they damage drones interfering throughout a fire or another emergency.

Another piece of legislation would turn it into a misdemeanor to end up being able to fly a new drone
more than any forest fire. Drone operators could face as significantly as $2,000 throughout fines.
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U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) provides launched a new law that would ban drone operators
from flying over a forest fire, which helps make it the federal offense. Anybody convicted of
interfering together with fire operations could confront a new fine and as much as five years in
prison.
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Copyright 2015, Los Angeles times
9:31 p.m.: This article was up to be able to date using further reporting.
This article was originally posted with 10:06 a.m.