If You Fly, We Can’t: CAL FIRE Issues Urgent Safety Warning to Drone Operators and Pilots for Fourth of July Weekend

Protecting the lives of aircrews and the communities we serve is CAL FIRE’s highest priority. As California heads into the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend, CAL FIRE reminds drone operators and general aviation (GA) pilots that unauthorized flights and airspace incursions near active wildfires put lives at risk.

To reduce the threat of mid-air collisions and mission delays, CAL FIRE has launched two parallel airspace safety campaigns targeting drone operators and private pilots.

The Safety Mandates

For Drone Operators: If You Fly, We Can’t

Keep drones entirely away from active incidents. Flying a drone near a wildfire poses an immediate risk to the lives of aircrews and forces an immediate shutdown of aerial operations, stalling critical water and retardant drops. It is also illegal. No drones in fire zones.

For General Aviation Pilots: Keep a 15-Mile Buffer

Wildfire smoke indicates congested, restricted airspace. Entering these zones risks a catastrophic collision with firefighting aircraft operating under intense conditions. Give active fires a wide 15-mile buffer, and remain highly alert for heavy air traffic flying to and from fire zones.

What Is at Stake: The Real-World Consequences

• Direct Threat to Aircrews: Entering restricted airspace with a private plane or flying a drone near a wildfire creates an immediate risk of a deadly mid-air collision.
• Ground Crews and Communities Left Unprotected: The moment an unauthorized aircraft or drone is spotted over a fire zone, aerial firefighting operations are grounded. This leaves ground crews and threatened neighborhoods without air support while fires spread.
• Criminal Penalties: Interfering with emergency operations is illegal. Violators face equipment confiscation, steep fines, and jail time.

To learn more about the CAL FIRE Aviation Program, please visit CAL FIRE’s Aviation Program.