5 drones delayed 5 air-units from responding to North Fire for 20 minutes,

[dixiegrrrrl]

Drones forced the landing of planes deployed to fight the so-called North Fire that burned cars and homes along the 15 Freeway Friday, delaying response to the frightening blaze, officials said.

All air units not only pulled back from the fire because of the drones, but all five were forced to touch back down at the airport in San Bernardino after jettisoning their loads, John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service said.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Drones-Delayed-North-Fire-Response-Officials-316615691.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_LABrand

There were plenty of very low altitude overhead pics of the cars on fire on the freeway, I assume those were news drones.
The tanker planes were trying to get to the scene to keep the fire away from the trapped motorists.

So far no news of any fatalities from that incident.

[drm604]

1. They may not have been news drones.

There are idiot hobbyists looking to get their 15 minutes of fame on YouTube with drone footage of newsworthy events.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. Other than the lack of a paycheck, how is that any different than the paid newsvultures?

Also looking for those 'money shots' that might just get them some award or other and a fatter paycheck off the misery of others?

[drm604]

8. Relax. I certainly wasn't defending anybody.

As I said, they're idiots.

[steve2470]

2. quite a hellish and dramatic iconic photo nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Take a look at these, from yesterday.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Wildfire-sweeps-across-S-California-freeway-6391684.php#photo-8326920

[steve2470]

7. wow those people must have been terrified! nt

[HassleCat]

4. TFR

Temporary Flight Restriction. They always issue one when air attack is underway over a fire. If you violate a TFR, refuse to leave when told to do so, the FAA bops you on the head with a 10,000 pound shit hammer. I'm pretty sure drones, model aircraft, etc. are subject to the same penalties as commercial and private aircraft for violating a TFR. If necessary, they need to shoot down a few drones to make the point.

[Ex Lurker]

5. A lot harder to catch a drone operator than a pilot though

They have have to go to some kind of radio frequency blocking technology, but that wouldn't keep someone from setting an autonomous flight path and sending it on its way.

[Nailzberg]

9. Not news drones. Those are news helicopters.

With FAA licensed pilots, who know the flight restrictions and can put themselves outside the operational area of firefighting aircraft.

They can hover hover a mile away and take broadcast quality shots, the zoom and lens stabilizer really are that good.

[Historic NY]

10. Perhaps its time to make them targets....

a good skeet shotgun might be the answer for the responders.

[BarbaRosa]

11. A little aside,

does anyone know what was in that semi-truck that was issuing that thick black smoke? Looked nasty.