Residents warned against drone use in vicinity of Bayers Lake fire
The provincial alert, delivered just after 6:30 p.m. AT, said anyone caught operating a drone in the restricted zone could be fined or face jail time.
"If unauthorized drones are present, firefighting aircraft must be grounded, and crews must suspend operations," the alert explained. "This puts lives and communities at great risk."
The Halifax Professional Firefighters confirmed in a Facebook post on Tuesday night that a drone did pause operations on the Bayers Lake wildfire.
"Water bombing operations have been temporarily halted due to an illegal drone in the area. This is directly impacting fire fighter and public safety," the post read.
"Flying recreational drones near an active incident is illegal and dangerously interferes with emergency operations. Please keep all drones grounded and away from the scene so our crews can safely continue their work."
Unauthorized drones can impede firefighting work
CBC videographer Brian MacKay spotted a man flying a small drone — possibly a DJI Mini — along Highway 102 near the Costco location in Bayers Lake on Tuesday afternoon while capturing footage with a regular video camera.
"As an advanced drone pilot who is taking courses and things, I know very well that anywhere near an active site like that, a forest fire, anything with search and rescue, anywhere near helicopters in the air or drones are being used by rescue personnel — we are not to fly drones for photography purposes or any purposes because it impedes their job," MacKay said.
"But I also know having taken this course and being an advanced drone pilot that you don't need to be an advanced drone pilot to fly a drone."
'It can be very dangerous'
Nav Canada refers to small drones as remotely piloted aircraft systems. If someone is flying one near a wildfire without permission, Transport Canada says there's a chance it could collide with firefighting aircraft.
"Canadian law requires all drone pilots to fly according to the Canadian Aviation Regulations, which state that only someone with permission can fly a drone over a wildfire, or within 9.3 kilometres (five nautical miles) of a wildfire," Transport Canada said on its website.
MacKay said water bombers were getting closer to the highway at the time he spotted the man with the drone. He said the man might not have known the regulations.
"I do have patience for people like that, I don't think they're trying to hinder anything. They're just trying to get a good view, get some cool footage to upload or share with family and friends. I don't believe it was malicious but it can be very dangerous," he said.
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CTV News
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- CTV News
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Unsure when Hydro repairs will finish, Pukatawagan asks for generators so evacuees can return home
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National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Daily Horoscope - Wednesday, August 13, 2025
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