Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, have become more common on wildland fire incidents. Trained UAS operators provide incident support through aerial operations. While UAS have become more common, unauthorized UAS incursions have also become increasingly common. A UAS incursion is defined as a non-participating UAS operating over or near an incident that intrudes into an area with a temporary flight restriction (TFR) or interferes with incident/mission operations.
Unauthorized UAS flights pose a serious risk to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of incident operations. Incident aircraft such as helicopters and fixed-wing can fly at very low altitudes, typically just a couple of hundred feet above the ground, similar to unmanned aircraft. This increases the risk of mid-air collisions or pilot distractions that could result in a serious or fatal accident.
Unauthorized UAS flights could lead incident managers to suspend aircraft operations until the UAS has left the airspace and managers are confident it will not return. This can lead to delays in operations and tactical support, while threatening lives, property, transportation of personnel, and valuable natural and cultural resources.
An additional risk associated with unauthorized UAS operating in the airspace around an incident is the potential for it to lose its communication link with the operator. This could result in the drone falling and potentially causing serious injuries or death to incident personnel working below.
What should you do if you see a non-participating UAS over your incident?
- Notify the Air Attack Group Supervisor (ATGS) over the incident:
- Time spotted, Location, Attitude, Direction, Operator, Location
- If there is no ATGS over the incident:
- Notify pilots over the incident: Time spotted, Location, Attitude, Direction, Operator, Location
- Notify dispatch of incursion: Time spotted, Location, Attitude, Direction, Operator, Location
- Additional contacts that may be needed:
- Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD), Law Enforcement Officer (LEO),
- Incident Commander (IC)
- Unit or Forest Aviation Officer (UAM/FAO), Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC),
- Agency UAS Safety Manager
File a SAFECOM
