Call For Drone Regulations Grows As Eight Air Tankers Grounded In Trailhead Fire

El DORADO HILLS (CBS13) — Drones operating in restricted airspace have made fighting the Trail Head Fire more dangerous and difficult, said a Cal Fire official on Wednesday.

Eight air tankers used to drop water and retardant on the flames have been grounded because of the drone interference over the past two days.

It's something that is upsetting not only to firefighters on the front lines, but also drone hobbyist and legislatures as well.

"It's tremendously frustrating," said Thomas Bartlett. He owns Image in Flight, a professional drone flying business. He also flies drones as a hobby and is in favor of more regulation.

"Hobby drones in the area mean we cannot fly," said Brice Bennett with Cal Fire.

The air attack against the Trailhead Fire had to be suspended twice due to drones flying in the area.

"We simply will not risk that, take that risk with our pilots," said Bennett.

During fires, there are temporary flight restrictions in place. It's a violation of FAA rules to operate an aircraft in that space. Violators face a steep fine. But people are rarely arrested.

"Currently it's very much like speeding on the freeway," explained Bartlett, "you only get caught if you get caught."

Bartlett says lawmakers and regulators are a step behind.

"I think it's very difficult to keep up with the technology," said Bartlett, "the technology is changing literally daily."

Currently, all drones over a half a pound are required to have a serial number and be registered with the FAA.

"They're still getting in the way of public safety," said state Sen. Ted Gaines, D-1.

The Trailhead fire is burning in Gaines' district. He's introduced several drone regulation bills, The governor vetoed three of them last year. Each of the bills included jail time for offenders. Gov. Jerry Brown cited an increase an prison population as one reason for his veto.

"We've got to work with the governor to try and come to terms with something that we can get through," said Gaines.

His latest effort would give first responders power to act.

"They have the right to take that drone down and they have the legal immunity to do so," explained Gaines.

Other legislation in the assembly would require an automatic shut off be installed on all drones. It would be activated if a drone approached places like fires or airports. The DRONE act would also require drone owners to obtain drone insurance by 2020.

FAA STATEMENT ON DRONES

There are lots of great places to fly your drones, but over or near a wildfire isn't one of them. In fact, drone operators who interfere with wildfire suppression efforts are subject to civil penalties of up to $27,500 and possible criminal prosecution.

Here's why it's important: Aerial firefighting aircraft, such as airtankers and helicopters, fly at very low altitudes, just a couple hundred feet above the ground and in the same airspace as hobby and recreational drones. This creates the potential for a mid-air collision that could seriously injure or kill wildland firefighters in the air or on the ground.

As a result of unlawful drone operations near fires this year, fire managers have temporarily grounded all aerial firefighting aircraft on several occasions for safety reasons. Shutting down firefighting operations could cause wildfires to become larger and can threaten lives, property, and valuable natural and cultural resources.

The bottom line is "If You Fly, We Can't."

Please fly responsibly – keep your drone away from wildfires.