Unauthorized Drones Divert Firefighting Aircraft at California's Timber Fire

Repeated Drone Incursions Halt Aerial Firefighting

For three straight days in September, unauthorized drones flew into restricted airspace over the Timber Fire in California’s Big Sur area, forcing Cal Fire to move its aircraft out of harm’s way. The fire had consumed more than 25,000 acres and was about 60 percent contained by September 21.

Tactical Delays and Unidentified Operators

One incursion near Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park prompted crews to shift aircraft into less congested airspace to avoid a midair collision. Cal Fire used Remote ID receivers to capture the drones’ radio signals and forwarded pilot location data to law enforcement, but no suspects were found. One drone was registered with the FAA; two were not. The interference occurred roughly a nautical mile from a helicopter dip site, pulling aircraft away from a priority slop-over on the fire’s western edge.

Legal Consequences and Jurisdiction

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office cautioned that unauthorized flights can suspend firefighting operations and create severe collision risks. Because violations of temporary flight restrictions are federal matters, the sheriff’s office handed the cases to the TSA. Penalties can reach $20,000 in civil fines, drone seizure, and criminal prosecution with up to two years in prison under U.S. law; California also bars interfering with emergency personnel at an emergency scene.

A National Safety Concern

Comparable drone intrusions have recently grounded firefighting aircraft in Arkansas, Oregon’s Wrights Spring Fire, and near Spokane, Washington. Cal Fire recalled a January 2025 collision when a drone punched a hole in a Super Scooper fighting the Palisades fire, grounding the plane. Officials urged recreational operators to keep drones grounded during active firefighting, stressing that even small drones endanger crewed aircraft and people below.