While it is illegal and dangerous for the public to fly drones around wildfires, fire officials are able to utilize them in firefighting efforts. The Dollar Ridge Fire has a Type 3 firefighting team assigned to it as fire activity continues in the Ashley National Forest. Utah Fire Info reports this week that the Dollar Ridge Fire Type 3 Team is being assisted by two FAA-certified drones with pilots from the Bureau of Land Management’s aviation program. “The drone pilots are part of the firefighting team, working in close coordination with the ground and air resources assigned to the fire to ensure that it is safe for them to fly,” shares Utah Fire Info. “The images produced by their flights help the team assess its work, locate any new hotspots and plan additional operations to ultimately contain and control the fire.” The public is reminded that operating drones is illegal and puts fire crews in the air and on the ground at risk. The warning still stands: If you fly, fire crews can’t.
