SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah County Sheriff's Office is reminding the public not to fly drones over active wildfires after one was spotted around the Iron Fire on Thursday.
The sheriff's office said it detected a drone flying in restricted airspace around the Iron Fire at 2 p.m. Thursday. Deputies located the pilot and issue a citation.
"We here at the Utah County Sheriff's Office, along with our local, state, federal partners, and members of the media have repeatedly warned the public of the dangers of flying drones into restricted airspace during wildland fires and that it is unlawful to do so," the sheriff's office stated in the press release.
It also reminded the public that all firefighting air operations have to be grounded when a civilian drone is detected above a wildfire to "ensure the safety of those air crews."
Under Utah Law 65A-3-2.5, people caught flying drones in restricted airspace around wildfires are subject to fines and potential jail time.
"Do not fly a drone around any wildland fire," the sheriff's office stated.
On Friday morning, officials announced that the fire had grown to 40,614 acres and that containment had reached 27%. Crews plan to focus their efforts on strengthening established containment lines around the blaze.
U.S. Highway 6 between Elberta and Eureka was expected to reopen on Friday at noon.
