Fires a no drone zone

Tuesday, 13 February 2018 09:32

By Taylah Strano

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is worried dozens people could have been killed as a result of drones flying dangerously close to water bombers in two separate bushfires over the weekend.

The department said a drone was just metres from the rotors of a water bomber when it drew water from a lake at the Port Kennedy gold course on Sunday.

People crowded around the lake to watch and an aerial firefighting crew could have been killed if the drone and helicopter had made contact, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has warned.

Another drone was spotted on the same day, seen flying near the fire front of a bushfire in Australind where aircrews were working.

Both incidents were reported to Civil Aviation Safety Authority with drone pilots facing possible fines of up to $9000 for breaking CASA Regulations.

DFES Assistant Commissioner Gary Gifford said water bombers fly at around 200 kilometres an hour, often manoeuvring in poor visibility, close to each other and other obstacles such as trees, radio masts and power lines.

“While it might be tempting to record footage, drones pose a major safety risk to firefighting personnel in the air and people on the ground, who are often drawn to watch water bombers in action," he said.

“If a helicopter goes down, it is unlikely that the crew as well as any nearby onlookers will survive."

Even a small drone colliding with or obstructing a bombing aircraft could have catastrophic results.

DFES is now urging people who see drones operating near a bushfire where aircraft is being used to report it to WA Police.