For Immediate Release

 

SAN BERNARDINO NEWS RELEASE
County Administrative Office CONTACT:

David Wert
Public Information Officer

July 29, 2015 (909) 387-4717
dwert@sbcounty.gov

 

Supervisors offer $7 5,000 bounty for drone operators '3

 

You
Drone operators have been asked repeatedly not to fly their aircraft during wildfires. But at TUhe
crucial moments in each ofthe wildfires that have broken out in San Bernardino County so far
this year, fire-fighting air tankers had to be diverted away from their targets because ofthe a
presence of small airborne hobby drones.


The Board of Supervisors decided asking is no longer enough and this week created a $75,000 

reward fund for the arrest and conviction of anyone who flew any remote control-operated
aircraft and interfered with fire-fighting aircraft during the recent Lake, Mill 2, and North fires.

?Because fire-fighting planes could not be used, those fires spread faster and further,? Board
of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos said during a news conference today.

"In the most recent fire, the North Fire, we saw cars and trucks burning on the freeway, we saw
homes burn, and we saw families running for their lives,? Chairman Ramos said. "We want to
know who was flying drones, and we want them punished. Someone knows who they are,
and there is $75,000 waiting for them.?

SheriffJohn McMahon said his department will actively pursue drone operators in addition to
its other vital duties during wildfires. And District Attorney Mike Ramos warned drone
operators that they could and would be prosecuted for murder iftheir drones led to the death
ofa fire-fighting flight crew or anyone on the ground.

Those with information on anyone who flew drones during those fires are urged to call WeTip
at 1-800-78-CRIME. Callers can remain anonymous.

Up to $25,000 is available for each ofthe three fires. The District Attorney will ultimately
determine who qualifies for the reward money and for how much.

Low-flying air tankers cannot share the sky with drones because the small aircraft can be
sucked intojet engines, causing the engines to fail and the planes to crash.

Interfering with fire-fighting operations is a criminal offense, and District Attorney Ramos said
there are several criminal statutes prosecutors can employ to bring drone operators to justice.
State and federal lawmakers are in the process of creating new laws aimed specifically at
those who fly drones during wildfires.

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