Sacramento, CA…Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) and Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) today announced bipartisan plans to introduce urgently needed and important new legislation that will protect forests, property and the lives of citizens and firefighters. Senate Bill 167 will make it a serious state crime to fly a drone over a wildfire.

“California is a scorched, drought-dried tinderbox that is facing unprecedented fire risk right now. We need every firefighter, every shovel, every bulldozer and air tanker working together to battle wildfires. If drones are getting in the way of that effort they need to be grounded immediately,” said Gaines.

“I’m pleased to join with Senator Gaines to introduce legislation that will punish criminals who ignore the safety of our emergency response professionals and the people they are trying to protect,” said Assemblyman Gatto. “There can be no patience with persons or groups who would risk others’ lives in this way.”

Gaines is responding to the disturbing string of reports indicating that private drones operating over wildfires have interfered with reconnaissance aircraft or tanker aircraft dedicated to containing those blazes. The planes were forced to reroute or land, in some cases having to discharge their critical, flame-retardant loads in areas not affected by fire and wasting crucial materiel. Forest Service officials have also voiced concerns that drones could interfere with the deployment and safety of the “smokejumper” crews who parachute into remote wildfire areas.

“Hundreds of families in my district alone have lost homes to wildfires. In 2013, our nation mourned the deaths of 19 firefighters in Arizona who died fighting one of these blazes. One tanker drop could literally be the difference between life and death or a tract of homes going up in flames. To think that someone would interfere with firefighting efforts to get a sneak peek at the fire or to post a drone video on YouTube is an outrage that is deserving of punishment and condemnation,” said Senator Gaines.

Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration typically issues temporary flight restriction over disaster or hazard areas, to protect people and property on the ground, protect the operation of disaster relief aircraft, and to prevent unsafe congestion of sightseeing or other aircraft above the disaster site. There is no state penalty for violating these federal restrictions.

California law dictates that it is a misdemeanor to interfere with the lawful efforts of a firefighter or company to extinguish a fire, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. SB 167 will charge offenders a vastly increased penalty for the violation and will also consider adding incarceration as a penalty when the offense involves unauthorized drone use.

Gaines believes drones hold great promise for wildfire suppression when used properly by the agencies tasked with extinguishing the blazes. He supports the implementation of new technologies in construction materials, communications, surveillance and other advances to keep Californians safe from fire. But he had harsh words for the lone wolf operators putting lives and property at risk.

“First I want everyone to know that flying drones in these areas is dangerous and wrong. Let’s get the word out as far and wide as we can – immediately – to help keep our people and firefighters safe” Gaines went on. “But this penalty will help ensure safe skies. And if we need to make it higher or add different punishment to keep these rogue drones out of fire zones then I will push for that. Public safety comes first.”

Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.