Drones stop wildfire workers near Kelowna

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Operations at the Westside Road wildfire have been halted after multiple drones were seen flying overhead.

All airspace around wildfires is restricted according to Fire Information Officer Melissa Klassen.

She says they’ve brought in the RCMP to investigate and will do so in the future too.

“This poses a significant safety risk,” she says. “Not only for our personnel in the air but also it’s a safety risk for our crews on the ground if there are other aircraft overhead as well.”

Klassen says they grounded a helicopter that was responsible for water delivery and crew support because there was too much activity in the area.

Going forward, they are asking everyone to leave their drones at home.

It comes as the province is dealing with eight fires of note.

“No major fires to report in the last few days. We did have seven fires yesterday across the province, a few of those were certainly quite visible to the public. One of them near Hatzic Lake in Mission,” says Wildfire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek.

He says with dry condition expected over the long weekend people need to be careful.

“Obviously with conditions this volatile, it doesn’t take much to spark a wildfire. So we need people to be diligent and of course, if they do spot anything to give us a call as soon as possible at *5555.”

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today