From the Texas floods to the LA fires, consumer drones keep getting in the way of rescue operations

Business Insider

2 days ago

Search and rescue operations continue in central Texas, where catastrophic flooding has killed at least 69 people. Dozens are still missing.
During a Sunday press conference, after the usual updates, officials made what has become a familiar request during recent natural disasters: Don't fly your personal drones over the disaster area.
"We know that people want to volunteer, but what we are starting to see is personal drones flying," Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters. "These personal drones flying is a danger to aircraft, which then risks further operations."
The Kerrville Police Department echoed Rice's remarks on Sunday.
"Media-operated drones are interfering with official search and rescue drones. There is a no-fly zone in Kerr County for private drones," the department said on its Facebook page. "We need cooperation in this matter. Let our first responders do their job."
During a press conference hosted by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer of the Texas National Guard said the department had launched an MQ-9 Reaper — a remotely-piloted aircraft — to perform assessment operations.
"It's truly an eye in the sky for our search and rescue people," Suelzer said.
Although drones are now commonly used in military and law enforcement operations, they are also popular among civilians, mostly for photography and shooting video, but also for those looking to help search after disasters. During several recent disasters, however, officials say those civilian drone operators have hindered rescue operations.
The Dixie Fire
In 2021, the Dixie Fire spread across northern California. The flames ripped through communities, displacing residents and burning nearly a million acres of land.
That July, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said an unauthorized drone had impeded emergency operations.
"Yesterday, aircraft assigned to the #DixieFire were forced to land due to an unauthorized drone flying over the fire traffic area," the agency said on its official Facebook page. "Drones restrict firefighters' ability to protect lives, property, and natural resources. Remember, if you fly, we can't!"
Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene battered the southeast United States in late 2024.
After making landfall in Florida, it traveled up the coast through Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding demolished homes and submerged vehicles.
Amid the search and rescue efforts, the US Department of Transportation shared an X post asking consumer drone operators to stay clear. At the time, the Federal Aviation Administration had issued a temporary flight restriction in certain areas.
"Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene," the agency said. "Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground."
The FAADroneZone, the agency's site for drone services, said in a separate X post that "interfering with emergency response efforts may result in fines or criminal prosecution."
At the time, some online users thought volunteer drone operators were being banned from assisting in relief efforts, which sparked a backlash.
The DOT later clarified that the FAA didn't ban consumer drones from providing assistance and relief.
"These restrictions occur at the request of local authorities or law enforcement. FAA does not put these into place without requests," a spokesperson told Fox News.
The agency added that "anyone looking to use a drone or other aircraft to assist in Hurricane Helene disaster relief and recovery efforts should coordinate with first responders and law enforcement on scene to ensure they do not disrupt life-saving operations."
Los Angeles wildfires
In January, a series of wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles region, causing widespread damage and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes.
In addition to emergency firefighting efforts on the ground, officials deployed two Super Scoopers, which are amphibious aircraft that collect water to drop it on wildfires.
However, an unauthorized civilian drone struck one Super Scooper, forcing it out of service.
"We would like to remind everyone that flying a drone in the midst of firefighting efforts is a federal crime and punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $75,000," a LA Fire Department spokesperson said at the time.
The incident prompted an investigation by the FAA, which said in a statement that "flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives."
The Department of Justice said the drone operator agreed to plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an uncrewed aircraft. The plea agreement included the drone operator paying full restitution to the Government of Quebec, which supplied the aircraft, and completing 150 hours of community service.