§40A Operation of Unauthorized Unmanned Aircraft Over Wildfires

Summary

Do not fly a drone if you knowingly or recklessly get in the way of fighting a wildfire or of law‑enforcement or emergency response at a wildfire. You can be fined, go to jail for up to 2 years, or both. Government agencies (federal, state, tribal, or local) and their contractors may fly drones for public‑safety work like firefighting or emergency response. Definitions: unmanned aircraft — a drone under federal aviation law; wildfire — as defined by federal wildfire law; wildfire suppression — efforts to control or put out a wildfire.