​  on Drone Operators

DO NOT Fly/Operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 

Near Wildfires

Assemblyman Obernolte stopped in at the Big Bear Fire Department to say “Thank You!” 

to Fire Fighters and Forest Hot Shots. Left center is Chief Jeff Willis.

 

Jay Obernolte of the 33rd Assembly District responded to Editor E T Russell’s concerns  about the dangers of drones interrupting air attacks on recent fires.

Monday July 13th, Obernolte, a pilot himself, told of his participation in the crucial incidents that have occurred during recent firefighting incidents.  “In response to these recent incidents I am co-authoring a bill to impose new penalties on operators of UAV’s that violate Temporary Flight Restrictions over an active fire.  One tier of penalties will apply to operators who inadvertently violate the flight restriction, and the second (more severe) tier of penalties will apply to operators who willfully violate the flight restriction. I hope this new law will deter these operators from interfering with aerial firefighting operations over these fires. 

Assemblyman Jay Obernolte represents the 33rd Assembly District, which includes the San Bernardino County communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Baker, Barstow, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Big River, Crestline, Fort Irwin, Hesperia, Johnson Valley, Lake Arrowhead, Lenwood, Lucerne Valley, Needles, Oak Hills, Phelan, Running Springs, Silver Lakes, Trona, Twentynine Palms Base, Twin Peaks and Victorville.

Previous articles about Unmanned Aircraft System (drones) that have temporarily halted tanker operations.   

See more at: http://www.bigbearlake.net/etnews/press-conference-san-bernardino-airport-#sthash.xvVfkCkc.dpuf

“If a UAS is detected flying over or near a wildfire, we will stop air-tankers from dropping fire retardant, helicopters from dropping water, and other aerial firefighting aircraft from performing wildfire suppression missions until we can confirm that the UAS has left the area and we are confident it won’t return,” said Steve Gage, U.S. Forest Service representative on the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. –

See more at: http://www.bigbearlake.net/etnews/public-notice-#sthash.866ZBYqL.dpuf