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
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.