Interfering with wildfire suppression and emergency responses with drone

Drone interference can disrupt emergency operations when aircraft and responders need clear access to an incident. The law creates civil enforcement tools and substantial financial penalties.

What the law does ​

• Prohibits operating a drone to knowingly or recklessly interfere with wildfire suppression or related law-enforcement or emergency-response efforts.
• Prohibits drone interference with emergency responses to incidents covered by a Federal Aviation Administration temporary flight restriction.
• Allows the Attorney General, county counsel, or city attorney to enforce the prohibition through a civil lawsuit.
• Allows a prevailing plaintiff to obtain an injunction, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and up to $75,000 in civil penalties per violation.

Who it affects ​

• Drone operators near wildfires and emergency incidents subject to a Federal Aviation Administration temporary flight restriction.
• The Attorney General and local government lawyers authorized to bring enforcement actions.