67 Reported Incursions So Far This Year
The U.S. Forest Service says there have been 67 unauthorized drone incursions into wildfire airspace so far in 2026, a pattern officials say repeatedly forces firefighting aircraft out of the sky. In an August 2026 public safety post, the Forest Service and the National Interagency Fire Center said temporary flight restrictions are put in place over active wildfires specifically to protect aerial firefighting crews flying air tankers and helicopters, and that every incursion by an unauthorized drone forces those aircraft to stand down until the airspace is confirmed clear. Thirty-nine of the 67 reported incursions this year occurred in Washington state, according to the agencies. Individuals caught flying drones into these restricted zones can face significant fines and potential prison time.
Spokane Complex Fires: A Concrete Example of the Risk
The scale of the disruption was illustrated during the Spokane Complex wildfires in Washington in early August 2026. According to FireRescue1, citing a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office news conference, 26 drone incursions were reported on August 2, four of which flew directly into the path of firefighting aircraft. The following evening, aircraft were grounded for roughly 30 minutes after another unauthorized drone entered the restricted airspace, the outlet reported, citing The Seattle Times; the operator in that case was not located. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said his office had identified multiple drone operators from the earlier incidents and referred citations to the Federal Aviation Administration, noting each operator could face penalties up to $100,000.
Washington Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Ryan Rodruck told FireRescue1 that grounding aircraft even briefly has real operational costs: “We’re utilizing all units at our disposal right now, but we can’t do that effectively if the airspace isn’t clear.” He said the temporary flight restriction over the Spokane fires protected airspace up to 5,000 feet, and that wildland firefighting aircraft often operate at altitudes similar to many civilian drones, raising collision risk for pilots and ground crews alike. Thirty-five aircraft, including assets from DNR and the National Guard, were assigned to the Spokane fires on August 3. “Vital seconds, minutes, are lost” with every grounding, Rodruck said.
Legal Exposure and Public Messaging
Interfering with firefighting operations on public lands is a federal crime that can carry up to a year in prison, and flying a drone inside a wildfire-related temporary flight restriction can also trigger a civil penalty of $20,000 or more, according to FireRescue1’s reporting. The Forest Service has run a public-awareness campaign, “If You Fly, We Can’t,” aimed at recreational drone operators, warning that even a very small drone can damage a helicopter’s tail rotor or disable an aircraft engine. Both agencies encourage anyone who spots a drone inside restricted wildfire airspace to call 911 or report it directly to the FAA.
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