Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73

§46320 Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— - AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › Subpart subpart iv— - enforcement and penalties › Chapter CHAPTER 463— - PENALTIES › § 46320

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone who flies a drone and knowingly or recklessly gets in the way of fighting a wildfire, police, or other emergency response can be fined up to $20,000 by the U.S. government. The rule does not apply when a U.S., state, tribal, or local government agency—or a contractor working for them—is flying the drone to protect public safety (like firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency work). The government can also settle for a smaller fine or take the fine out of money it owes the person. Wildfire — see the meaning in the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m). Wildfire suppression — efforts to contain, put out, or control a wildfire.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §46320

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and in so doing knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000.

(b)This section does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft conducted by a unit or agency of the United States Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response.

(c)(1)The United States Government may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this section.

(2)The United States Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this section from the amounts the Government owes the person liable for the penalty.

(d)In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)The term “wildfire” has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act (42 U.S.C. 1856m).

(2)The term “wildfire suppression” means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 46320

Title 49 — Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73