Firefighters 'impacted' by drone while battling trio of wildfires in B.C.'s Kootenay region
Firefighters working to tame a trio of wildfires in B.C.'s Central Kootenay region were "impacted" by an illegal drone in their airspace on Wednesday.
Officials said the drone was spotted hovering over the flames at the Arrow Lake wildfire complex, and that there were multiple other people operating unmanned aerial vehicles in the vicinity.
"The presence of drones near an active wildfire can slow down, or completely shut down, aerial firefighting efforts due to safety concerns," the B.C. Wildfire Service said in a news release.
"If a drone collides with firefighting aircraft, the consequences could be deadly."
Officials noted the airspace around wildfires is automatically considered "flight restricted" under national aviation regulations. The restricted space spans to a radius of five nautical miles around active fires, and to an altitude of more than 900 metres.
People caught flying drones that have interfered with firefighting efforts can be fined as much as $100,000 or jailed for up to one year – or both.
Officials asked anyone who witnesses an illegal drone in restricted airspace to report it to police or Crime Stoppers.
"Please assist us keeping our aircraft flying and our pilots safe," the B.C. Wildfire Service said.
The Arrow Lake wildfire complex consists of the Octopus Creek, Michaud Creek and Renata Creek fires, which have spread across more than 26,000 hectares combined and prompted a number of evacuations and evacuation alerts.
The Octopus Creek blaze was discovered on July 11, and has already grown to nearly 17,000 hectares in size alone, according to wildfire officials.
Even without drone interference, the B.C. Wildfire Service said thick smoke in the area has forced crews to halt most of the air attacks on the wildfires for the time being.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.