Consumer drones are keeping firefighters grounded

Drones and Wildfires: A Growing Threat in the Sky

Drones—also known as uncrewed aerial systems (UAS)—have become a serious challenge for wildfire response teams since consumer models first became widely available around 2013. What started as a popular hobby has evolved into a real danger when these devices are flown where they shouldn’t be—especially over active wildfires.

When unauthorized drones enter restricted airspace, they don’t just cause inconvenience—they create life-threatening situations. Pilots, flight crews, and aircraft are all put at risk. Because of this danger, the moment a drone is spotted near a wildfire, all aerial firefighting operations must be grounded immediately.

That shutdown has major consequences. Aircraft that drop water and fire retardant are forced to stop. Medical evacuation flights can’t take off. Firefighters on the ground lose critical support. In those moments, fires can spread faster, structures can be lost, and lives can be put in jeopardy—all because of one drone in the wrong place.

In 2025 alone, there were 218 reported drone sightings over active wildfires. A large portion of these occurred during the Eaton and Palisades Fires in Los Angeles, where 184 incursions were recorded within restricted airspace. While that number might not seem overwhelming at first glance, it surpasses the combined total of 125 incidents reported nationwide over the previous seven years.

Officials believe the real number may be even higher. Detection depends on visibility, timing, and available equipment, meaning many drone intrusions likely go unnoticed.

The danger became even more real on January 9, 2025, when a small consumer drone collided midair with a firefighting aircraft known as a “Super Scooper.” The aircraft was able to land safely, but the impact left a noticeable hole in its wing. Incidents like this highlight how much damage even a small drone can cause.

Following that collision, a counter-drone task force was formed involving federal and local agencies. Their mission focuses on detecting and stopping unauthorized drone activity. Using advanced systems, they can identify drones the moment they are powered on, track their flight path, and locate the operator. In one single day during the Eaton and Palisades Fires, teams conducted 49 drone detections and intercepts.

For those operating drones illegally in restricted airspace, the consequences are serious. Fines can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and penalties can include up to 12 months in prison.

Drone operators who violate these restrictions generally fall into three categories: those acting with criminal intent, those being careless, and those simply unaware of the rules. Regardless of intent, the outcome is the same—dangerous airspace conditions that increase the likelihood of a midair collision.

From the cockpit, the risk feels even more immediate.

Wildfire airspace is already crowded and complex. Multiple aircraft—helicopters, airtankers, and water scoopers—are often working in tight coordination over active fires. Lead plane pilots guide these operations, flying low and fast to direct where fire retardant should be dropped. At the same time, air tactical supervisors are constantly communicating with every aircraft in the area to keep operations running safely.

Now add an unknown drone into that environment.

Pilots often fly at speeds around 150 miles per hour, sometimes just above the fire itself. At those speeds, even a small object can cause catastrophic damage. A drone strike could hit the tail of the aircraft, damage an engine, or even break through the cockpit window, potentially injuring or killing the pilot.

What makes it even more dangerous is how difficult drones are to see. Pilots don’t have instruments that detect them, and visually, they can appear with little to no warning—similar to a bird suddenly crossing the path of a moving car. By the time a drone is visible, it may already be too late to react.

Even near-misses force operations to stop. A single drone sighting can pause aerial firefighting efforts for up to 15 minutes or longer. While that might not sound like much time, in an active wildfire, every second matters.

Veteran pilots who have been flying for decades note how dramatically things have changed. Before drones became widely available, this wasn’t even a concern. Now, drone sightings have become common—especially in areas where communities meet wildland terrain.

That growing presence is increasing the risk not only to firefighters, but also to the very communities those crews are working to protect.

The message is simple: if there’s a wildfire nearby, do not fly a drone. Restricted airspace exists to protect lives. Violating it is not only dangerous—it’s a federal crime with serious consequences.

Keeping the skies clear ensures that firefighters can do their jobs safely and effectively. In moments where everything is on the line, even one unnecessary risk can make all the difference.