DRONES AND WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING ARE NOT A GOOD COMBINATION. TOM SCHAFER WITH THE LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST SAYS THEY’RE WARNING PEOPLE NOT TO FLY DRONES WHILE CREWS ARE BATTLING FOREST FIRES: HE SAYS THEY INTERFERE WITH AIR TANKERS FLYING IN THE AREA AND OVER THE FIRE ITSELF.
SCHAFER SAYS THERE ACTUALLY WAS A REPORT OF A DRONE FLYING NEAR RUIDOSO MONDAY IN AN AREA WHERE FIREFIGHTERS AND AIR TANKERS ARE TRYING TO DOUSE A BLAZE.
HAD THE REPORT COME IN EARLIER, OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE HAD TO GROUND ANY AIR SUPPORT.
