Unauthorized drone disrupts Timber Fire firefighting efforts in Big Sur.

An unauthorized drone flying near the Timber Fire in Big Sur disrupted firefighting efforts Thursday, Sept. 9, a violation that could face up to $20,000 in federal civil penalties.

The unauthorized drone was detected around 5pm near Mount Manual, a peak rising above Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, according to Josh Silveira, battalion chief with Cal Fire in Monterey County. Air operations including helicopters were moved to a more remote part of the fire as Cal Fire attempted to locate the pilot. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) remain in place in areas affected by the Timber and Plaskett fires along the Big Sur and South Monterey County coastlines. 

As of Sept. 11, the Timber Fire has burned nearly 25,500 acres and is 27 percent contained, and the Plaskett Fire has burned nearly 30,000 and is 79 percent contained. 

There is a Highway 1 closure to support firefighting efforts at the Plaskett Fire. The north end of the closure has been moved from Kirk Creek Campground to just north of Treebones Resort, and the south end of the closure is at Gorda.

“As an agency, we have drone detection equipment so when we’re flying we’re constantly looking to make sure our airspace is safe,” Silveira says. “We can see the radio link between aircraft and pilot, so we know where both the aircraft and person flying the drone is at.”

Cal Fire was not able to locate the pilot, and has passed over the aircraft information to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office who is taking the lead on enforcement where the case is currently under investigation. 

Cal Fire’s technology is capable of detecting how high and how fast aircraft are flying, as well as capture the serial number. “Drones are like a car,” Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Andres Rosas says. “We can get registration off a drone. Cal Fire disclosed they have equipment that shows who is flying the drone.”  

Law enforcement warns visitors in the area that it is a federal offense to operate a drone in a TFR as it can interfere with wildfire suppression efforts, violations that can also result in imprisonment for up to two years in addition to a fine.

Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer State Beach is of particular concern, according to Rosas, as it’s a popular scenic spot for people to take photos and is under a no-fly zone. It could also be an area where aircraft refill their tanks with water, so a drone could pose a serious hazard. “You may think it's innocent but you are violating the TFR and may face federal prosecution for that action,” Rosas says. 

Silveira says they have been catching visitors attempting to fly their drones in the area, warning people they are in a no-fly zone before they begin flying. All visitors that have been notified have so far been receptive, he says, and unaware of the no-fly zone. He points to the fact that most drone manufacturers also come equipped with a warning that the pilot is in a TFR, generating a warning box before flying.

“I’ve made contact with about four individuals who were taking cases out of their vehicles,” Silveira says. “The last thing our aircraft pilots need to be doing is looking for recreation drones.”