Fire Continues To Burn, Drone Operator Unidentified

Efforts to fight a fire in the Los Angeles area were hampered Sunday by the presence of a drone flying in the vicinity of the firefighting aircraft.

Television station KTLA reports that the Los Angeles Fire Department notified law enforcement about the aircraft that forced a halt to airborne operations. The situation was dealt with with "minimal impact", according to the report.

LA Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said that if there is a drone in the air, fixed-wing tankers and helicopters have to stay on the ground because of the risk of collision with the drone.

Police in Burbank, CA have said that they are actively patrolling the area to look for drones and drone operators. In a video posted on Facebook, Burbank police sergeant Derek Green said if you are flying a drone near a fire, "you will be found, you will be arrested and you will be prosecuted."

Green said that having to have police patrolling for drone users diverts them from other duties, which he calls a "waste of resources."

The La Tuna fire is only about 30 percent contained, according to the report, and has burned a little over 7,000 acres.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report