Utah House bill would make it crime to fly drones near wildfires

Utah House bill would make it crime to fly drones near wildfires

(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Aerial drones delayed suppression efforts in at least two Utah wildfires last year, and a proposal in the Legislature would make it a crime to fly them in the vicinity of a fire.

HB126, sponsored by Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, would make it a class B misdemeanor to fly unmanned aircraft within 3 miles of an uncontrolled wildfire. It would be a class A misdemeanor if the drone causes an air tanker to have to drop its load somewhere other than the fire.

An incident commander on the scene of a wildfire, however, could grant someone permission to fly in the area, according to the bill.

"This is welcomed by everyone in the wildfire community," said Jason Curry, an investigator with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Air support was delayed for about 30 minutes last September because of a drone that was sighted near the Church Fork Fire in Millcreek Canyon.

Also in September, a drone hovering directly over a firefighting helicopter caused all air operations to be suspended for the day at the Wheeler Fire in Wasatch County. An air tanker on final approach to drop a load of retardant had to be diverted and dropped its load in a location away from the fire, according to the U.S Forest Service.

The House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee unanimously passed the bill to the House floor Friday.

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