As the New Jersey Forest Fire Service battled the 15,250-acre Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean and Lacey townships with aircraft from multiple agencies, it issued a warning for ongoing and future wildfires. Do not fly drones in fire areas: It is a serious problem and can result in penalties.
Danny’s Fire in southeast Vineland in the Peaslee Nature Preserve burned 1,300 acres before being brought under control in late April.
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) says: If You Fly, We Can’t. The agency has asked everyone to play a part and prevent interference with wildfire suppression by staying grounded.
The FAA, according to its Facebook page, often implements Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) around wildfires to protect aircraft that are involved in the firefighting operation. All aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from flying in the restricted area unless they’re operated by an agency that’s involved in the firefighting operation. Even if a TFR is not in place, drone pilots should avoid flying near wildfires. It’s a federal crime to interfere with firefighting aircraft regardless of whether restrictions are established, and violators can face stiff penalties.
It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with fire- fighting efforts on public lands. Additionally, Congress has authorized the FAA to impose a civil penalty of up to $20,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations. The FAA treats these violations seriously and will immediately consider swift enforcement action for these offenses.
The top 10 largest fires in New Jersey’s history, based on acreage burned, according to an AI-generated web summary are:
1) 1963 Pinelands fires (76,000 acres),
2) 1930 fires (58,000 acres),
3) 1905 Bass River fire (20,000 acres),
4) 1905 Manahawkin fire (21,000 acres),
5) 1963 Piney Hollow fire (31,425 acres),
6) 1936 Bass River fire (23,845 acres),
7) 1954 Chatsworth fire (20,800 acres),
8) 1995 Greenwood fire (20,671 acres),
9) 1963 fire from Prospertown Lake (17,497 acres), and
10) 1963 fire from Colliers Mills (17,497 acres).
