Brunswick Wildfire operations halted after drone flies into firefighting airspace

BOSTON BAR — The BC Wildfire Service is reminding residents that they cannot fly while unauthorized items are in the sky with them.

On Saturday, July 11, BCWS said a drone had been operating near the southeast flank of the Brunswick Creek wildfire as multiple aviation resources were in the same place. When this happens, crews are obligated to stop flying immediately until the airspace is confirmed safe.

“Our pilots operate low-flying aircraft in challenging conditions and often at high speeds,” said the BCWS. “A collision between a drone and a firefighting aircraft could have catastrophic consequences.”

All wildfires are considered flight-restricted areas under federal law, including areas within five nautical miles of a fire and up to 3,000 feet above ground level.

Anyone operating a drone or other unmanned aerial vehicle can be fined a maximum of $25,000 and/or sent to jail for up to 18 months. Intentional interference with wildfire efforts can yield up to $100,000 in fines and/or imprisonment.

BCWS urges folks who see a drone or UAV flying near a wildfire to report immediately by calling *5555 or 1-800-663-5555.

With Highway 1 reopening in the Fraser Canyon, BC Wildfire is also asking drivers to comply with safety rules, as multiple reports of speeding or stopping on the highway to take pictures and video have been received.

The speed limit is 60 kilometres an hour, and there is no stopping in the fire zone.