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Last Update: 09/22/2026 at 11:34 PM EST
Drones and Wildfire Response
Coverage from FOX Weather, AVweb, and others
Drones are increasingly relevant to wildfire response both as potential operational tools and as aircraft that must be managed around active fire zones.
The Spokane Complex fires in Washington illustrated the airspace-safety challenge: unauthorized drone flights repeatedly grounded helicopters and air tankers, disrupted water drops and other missions, and put crews and civilians at risk. Temporary Flight Restrictions, FAA enforcement, FBI counter-drone coordination, and technologies such as Remote ID are central to how officials protect firefighting airspace while identifying unsafe operators.
Looking Back
140 Day Timeline
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All Articles69 articles
Important
USDA reported 218 drone sightings during 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, including 184 restricted-airspace incursions near Eaton and Palisades.
4/26/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Two unauthorized drones disrupted aerial firefighting during a wildfire in Garland County, Arkansas, last week, according to the Arkansas Forestry Division.
9/7/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Pueblo County Sheriff's Office reported a drone violated restricted airspace during the Aspen Acres Fire on Friday, forcing firefighting air operations to ground in Rye, Colorado.
7/18/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
In California, a July 2021 unidentified drone obstruction during the Dixie Fire is being weighed by regulators in PG&E ratepayer liability for nearly $700 million in remaining claims.
7/16/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
BC Wildfire Service said a drone near Brunswick Creek wildfire on July 11 forced an aerial firefighting pause in British Columbia until airspace safety was confirmed.
7/12/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
BC Wildfire Service warned that a drone near the Brunswick Creek wildfire forced a temporary halt of aerial firefighting because wildfire airspace was not confirmed safe on July 11 in British Columbia.
7/12/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
San Diego officials said a wildfire near Sorrento Valley was delayed after a drone in airspace forced firefighting aircraft to land, with detection and enforcement efforts expanding.
7/12/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
BC Wildfire Service said drone sightings near the Brunswick Creek wildfire on July 11 halted aerial firefighting until safe airspace was confirmed.
7/12/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Colorado first responders said unauthorized drones disrupted wildfire firefighting operations in Douglas County and around Rock Creek Fire during recent incidents, forcing aircraft grounding.
7/11/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
San Diego police and fire officials report a wildfire drone incursion in Sorrento Valley forced firefighting aircraft landings and delayed containment by about 30 minutes.
7/11/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Greece will run over 100 thermal drone surveillance bases and three mobile command centers nationwide in 2026 to accelerate early wildfire detection and response.
6/26/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Interesting
Federal and local officials warned drone operators in Spokane, Washington, after unauthorized flights disrupted firefighting operations over the Spokane Complex fires.
8/5/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
The U.S. Forest Service grounded firefighting planes in Monterey County, California, after private drones were spotted near the Timber Fire.
9/9/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Iron County emergency managers warned Saturday near Cedar City, Utah, that a drone flying over a 15-acre fire forced aerial firefighting assets to remain grounded.
8/8/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Washington fire officials grounded aerial firefighting resources Monday near the Spokane Complex fires after at least 40 unauthorized drones entered restricted airspace.
8/5/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
The FBI Counter-UAS task force detected 41 unauthorized drones over four days in Spokane, Washington, during wildfire firefighting operations.
8/5/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Spokane County fire officials reported 26 drone incursions over active wildfire operations since Saturday, grounding firefighting aircraft and prompting two operator citations.
8/4/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Civilian drone operators disrupted firefighting aircraft over the Spokane Complex wildfires in Washington on August 2 and 3, prompting temporary groundings and enforcement referrals.
8/4/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Seneca will deploy an autonomous, thermal-imaging wildfire response drone to firefighter teams in California and Colorado, targeting faster threat detection and suppressant delivery.
6/21/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
US Forest Service teams in Montana used drones to drop ethylene glycol triggered potassium permanganate ignition spheres during prescribed burns as unauthorized-drone wildfire flights remain a federal crime.
5/22/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
CAL FIRE reported community drone intrusions on May 18 forced temporary grounding of firefighting aircraft above the Bain fire in Jurupa Valley.
5/19/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Oregon aviation and emergency-management officials warned drone operators during the record wildfire season that unauthorized flights near Oregon fires could ground firefighting aircraft.
8/21/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Spokane County authorities reported at least 26 civilian drone incursions that grounded firefighting aircraft over Washington wildfires between August 1 and August 3.
8/4/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
South Dakota firefighters warned the public about illegal drone operations near wildfires after National Interagency Fire Center recorded 19 drone incursions this year.
7/25/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
In Colorado, a drone pilot charged federally for flying inside a temporary flight restriction over the Aspen Acres Fire grounded firefighting aircraft after July 17.
7/21/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Valley County, Idaho law enforcement investigated a June 6 shotgun blast that damaged an Idaho Power contractor drone inspecting power lines near Lake Cascade, with FAA and FBI assistance.
6/9/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
CAL FIRE and multiple technology companies use drones and sensor networks for wildfire detection, surveillance, and rapid suppression in the western United States.
4/28/2026 • Agriculture, Environment & Land Management • General
Oregon aviation and emergency management officials warned drone pilots on August 20 that unauthorized flights near Oregon wildfires could ground firefighting aircraft and trigger federal penalties.
8/23/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Wildfire officials detected more than 21 unauthorized drone flights within Spokane fire restrictions this week, grounding aircraft and disrupting emergency aviation operations.
8/7/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Los Angeles Fire Department drone teams mapped and monitored potential hot spots Saturday in the Sepulveda Pass after a brush fire burned 15 to 17 acres.
9/12/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Utah fire officials warned drone operators on August 29 that unauthorized flights near the 10,002-acre Brushy Canyon Fire in Box Elder County could halt firefighting aircraft operations.
8/29/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
The FBI-led Counter-UAS Task Force detected and disrupted 41 unauthorized civilian drones over Spokane County, Washington, during four days of August wildfire operations.
8/20/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
The FBI Counter-UAS task force detected 41 unauthorized drones over Spokane, Washington, during four days of wildfire response under a temporary flight restriction.
8/6/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
The FBI Counter Unmanned Aerial System task force detected 41 unauthorized drones near Spokane, Washington, over four days during wildfire firefighting and an active temporary flight restriction.
8/6/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Citizen drone operators grounded firefighting aircraft during the Spokane Complex fires in Washington, prompting federal and local enforcement action.
8/4/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Coronado National Forest and Saguaro National Park restricted drone operations during lightning-caused wildfires near Tucson, using temporary flight restrictions and infrared heat assessments.
7/26/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
N.C. Forest Service aircraft and unified command supported ground crews during the Quarry Road Fire near Shallotte, and officials warned drones are illegal in the no-drone zone.
7/10/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Riverside County authorities arrested Edgar Salazar on Tuesday after a drone sighting near Kennedy Street during the Bain Fire prompted a temporary stop of emergency air units.
5/22/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Oregon emergency officials warned during the 2020s wildfire season that unauthorized drones near Oregon fires can ground firefighting aircraft and lead to federal penalties.
8/20/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Ryan Cutter reported that unauthorized drones repeatedly disrupted firefighting aircraft over the Spokane Complex Fires in Spokane, while authorities pursue fines up to $50,000.
8/7/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Fire officials reported more than 40 unauthorized drone flights disrupting firefighting aircraft around the Autumn Lane, Old Trails and Fairview fires near Spokane during the week.
8/5/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Utah Fire Info prohibited drone flights over the Brushy Fire near Promontory Point on August 29 while firefighters managed a 10,002-acre wildfire that was 45% contained.
8/29/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Fire officials and Grand Junction police warned Colorado residents during wildfire season that drones near active fires can ground firefighting aircraft and violate FAA temporary flight restrictions.
8/6/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
At least 26 unauthorized drone flights disrupted firefighting aircraft near Spokane, Washington, since Saturday, prompting sheriff referrals to the FAA and possible federal penalties.
8/4/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Federal charges were filed against a Colorado drone pilot for alleged TFR interference during the Aspen Acres fire, while the FCC and FAA pursued new drone restrictions for imports and infrastructure UAFRs in 2026.
7/24/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Utah County Sheriff's Office issued a citation for a drone pilot operating in restricted airspace around the Iron Fire on Thursday.
6/26/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Sparks Fire warned on wildfire drone rules and aircraft disruption after unauthorized drone activity delayed firefighting operations in the United States.
6/1/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Oregon aviation and emergency management officials are urging drone operators statewide to avoid active wildfire areas because unauthorized flights can ground firefighting aircraft and trigger severe penalties.
8/21/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Additional
British Columbia Wildfire Service completed Canada's first drone ignition operation on the Brunswick Creek complex near Boston Bar using ignition and infrared observation drones.
7/21/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Fishlake National Forest officials deployed drone-detection equipment after an unauthorized aircraft grounded firefighting operations at the Wide Mouth 2 Fire near Kanosh, Utah, on Wednesday.
7/30/2026 • Counter-Drone & Airspace Security • General
Gavin Newsom described California's layered wildfire response using ALERTCalifornia AI cameras, FireSat satellites, and Seneca autonomous suppression drones during a July 21 CAL FIRE aviation visit at Sacramento McClellan Airport.
7/25/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
During the Babylon Fire in Utah, teams used thermal UAS flights in rugged terrain to detect hot spots and confirm lightning strikes from June 26 through the late containment period.
7/25/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Cal Fire and FireWERX field-tested Seneca autonomous firefighting drones on July 15 to evaluate foam suppression for early wildfires, with unresolved FAA and federal airspace authorization issues.
7/22/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
BC Wildfire Service used drone-delivered ignition and infrared imaging during a controlled burn on the south flank of the Brunswick wildfire complex near Boston Bar on July 21, 2026.
7/21/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Seneca and U.S. fire departments are testing autonomous firefighting drones to suppress early wildfires using waypoint-based launches and rapid multi-drone attack runs.
7/21/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Cal Fire and FireWERX tested July 15 fully autonomous Seneca drones for firefighting support in California, aiming to reduce crew physical burden through water and foam payloads.
7/20/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Blaine County authorities restricted drone flights near the Ohio Fire near Hailey, Idaho, to prevent interference with firefighting aircraft during ongoing suppression.
7/19/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Greece expands wildfire response by combining thermal-imaging and multispectral satellites with 105 fire-service drones for prediction, tactical monitoring, and forensic evidence.
7/16/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Israel's National Security Ministry and partners tested an AI-powered APUS 25 firefighting drone in Israel to detect and locate fires for the Fire and Rescue Authority.
7/31/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
CAL FIRE tested Seneca Argo-1 autonomous firefighting drone swarms on July 15, while XPRIZE Wildfire evaluated Dryad Silvaguard in Alaska during June 2026.
7/20/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Northwest Incident Management Team 7 grounded firefighting drones and aircraft after five unauthorized drone incursions over Oregon's Wrights Spring Fire.
8/26/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Washoe County law enforcement and the FAA are pursuing penalties against drone operators whose unauthorized flights endangered wildfire aircraft and crews during Nevada's Hawk Fire.
8/25/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
On Tuesday, Washoe County authorities and the FAA investigated unauthorized drone flights near Nevada's Hawk Fire after aircraft and firefighting crews faced safety risks.
8/25/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
The Oregon Department of Aviation and Oregon Department of Emergency Management urged drone operators in Oregon to avoid active wildfires because unauthorized flights disrupt firefighting aircraft.
8/22/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Oregon Department of Aviation and Oregon Department of Emergency Management warned drone operators during active wildfire responses across Oregon that unauthorized flights can halt firefighting aircraft.
8/20/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Oregon aviation and emergency officials warned drone operators during the 2020s wildfire season that unauthorized flights near active fires can suspend aerial firefighting operations.
8/23/2026 • Regulation, Safety & Airspace Integration • General
Wildfire response planning describes drones and NASA Portable Airspace Management System as tools for earlier spot-fire detection and safer mixed crewed and uncrewed operations.
7/23/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
Mark Carney said Canada used thermal drones and advanced thermal imaging for real time wildfire detection during severe northwestern Ontario fires, amid cross border smoke and unauthorized drone risks.
7/19/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General
CAL FIRE, FireWERX and Seneca tested five autonomous suppression drones in California on July 15, 2026, to support early wildfire response.
8/20/2026 • Public Safety, Emergency Response & Government Use • General