SPOKANE, Wash. — Law enforcement says there will be steep prices to pay for anyone caught illegally flying a drone near the Spokane Area Wildfires.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels says the amount of drone activity near the fires has hindered departments from being able to fight these fires.
Sheriff Nowels says officers with anti-drone equipment are stationed around the fire. This is the same equipment that was used to protect people during FIFA World Cup activities.
“We had four cases where we had drones directly, yesterday, in the path of firefighting apparatus from the air,” said Sheriff Nowels. “We have cases that we have referred to the FAA for over $100,000 fines each for being in that zone because they are actively disrupting the firefighting efforts.”
Nowels says while some fines have already been imposed, if drones continue to fly in the area, it could lead to heavier fines or even arrests.
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