July 28--San Bernardino County supervisors could approve $75,000 in rewards Tuesday for information leading to the arrests of drone operators who interfered with firefighting during three major blazes this summer.
Supervisors were expected to vote on the proposal, which would offer a $25,000 reward in each fire.
Fire crews were forced to ground water-dropping aircraft after the unmanned devices were spotted flying above flames and smoke from three separate fires in San Bernardino County.
County officials said the delays resulted in a "temporary loss of extremely valuable resources in the firefighting efforts" and allowed the fires to spread, resulting in devastating property losses.
The drone operators have not been identified.
This year, drones first became a problem in San Bernardino County during the June 17 Lake fire.
Low-flying aircraft were preparing to drop fire retardant over flames in the Barton Flats area when a 3- to 4-foot drone was seen buzzing between two planes. Fire officials immediately grounded the aircraft. Fire officials later saw a second drone in area.
On July 12, fire officials had to briefly suspend a tanker after a drone was spotted flying over the Mill 2 fire burning in Mill Creek Canyon near State Highway 38.
It happened again July 17 during the North fire, when a drone halted tanker operations for about 25 minutes near Interstate 15 north of Highway 138, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Fire officials say drones pose a major risk to firefighters, pilots and aircraft.
A collision between a drone and aircraft flying at low altitude could result in major damage, and potentially injure the pilot and crew on board.
U.S. Forest Service officials said they will continue to stop helicopters and air tankers from dropping fire retardant over a fire until they can confirm the devices have left the area.
New legislation, if passed, could allow firefighters and law enforcement to take down any drones hindering emergency operations.
The proposed law, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) and state Sen. Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado), would give firefighters and other first responders immunity for damaging drones interfering during a fire or other emergency.
Another piece of legislation would make it a misdemeanor to fly a drone over a forest fire. Drone operators could face up to $2,000 in fines.
Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) has introduced a law that would ban drone operators from flying over a forest fire, making it a federal offense. Anyone convicted of interfering with fire operations could face a fine and up to five years in prison.
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