Drone stops firefighting effort

Someone illegally flew a drone into the temporarily restricted airspace over the Williams Flats and Lundstrom Butte Fires Tuesday, forcing a stop to all flights by firefighting aircraft.

“The incursion caused all firefighting related aircraft — helicopters, Fire Bosses and large retardant planes — to suspend operations and return to the airport,” Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8 said in a late fire update Tuesday night.

No flights were allowed in the area until it could be verified that the drone had left it.

“During the suspension, no aerial support was provided to the firefighters on the ground, and the fire was allowed to burn unchecked,” the update said. 

Flying a drone into an area designated for a “Temporary Flight Restriction” can bring a fine of $20,000, the team said.  

“Remember, ‘IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T,’” the update said.