Drones halt aerial fire containment efforts due to safety

A drone caused temporarily grounding of air tankers around 5:30pm Wednesday evening, ending their aerial fire fighting efforts for the day.

Officials said an air tanker was preparing to drop retardant in the San Bernardino Mountains when the pilot spotted a small fixed-wing, four foot drone.

The planes were ordered to land for fear of possible collision, which could result in major damage.

An official said a short time later, another pilot of a spotter plane saw another small drone flying over a different section of the fire.

Officials said drones are dangerous because of their inability to communicate with the manned aircrafts in the area. This is the third time on record a drone halted efforts of aerial fire containment. A drone was flying over the Cocos Fire in San Marcos in May of 2014. Another incident occurred earlier this year in Madera County.

Drones have gained popularity over the last two years, but according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, are not allowed to fly above 400 feet from ground level of the pilot.

The FAA also granted temporary flight restriction airspace involving the area affected by the Lake Fire, which the drones were also violating.

Retardant dropping flights resumed Thursday morning.