By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Counter Unmanned Aerial System task force detected 41 unauthorized drones over Spokane in four days as firefighting aircraft battled the Spokane Complex fires; one drone forced multiple aircraft to land simultaneously on August 4.
- The FBI is using electronic countermeasures to disable drones and locate pilots, severing the connection between the drone and controller to permit law enforcement contact with operators.
- A temporary flight restriction established through August 14 prohibits all civilian drone operations 24 hours daily; violators face criminal penalties up to two years in prison and civil fines up to $100,000.
- Sheriff John Nowels denied rumors that law enforcement is shooting down drones, stating the agency uses electronic countermeasures and radio frequency detection instead.
- The public is instructed to report drone sightings immediately to 911, and Senator Maria Cantwell helped secure federal authorization for the countermeasures program.
SPOKANE, WASH. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation has escalated countermeasures against unauthorized civilian drones interfering with firefighting operations over the Spokane Complex fires, with federal officials reporting 41 drone detections in four days and one incident forcing multiple firefighting aircraft to the ground simultaneously.
The FBI’s Counter Unmanned Aerial System task force, in coordination with local law enforcement and federal agencies, is addressing the proliferation of civilian drones entering restricted airspace designated for emergency firefighting operations.
Deputy Doug Hicks of the FBI UAS task force stated that federal personnel are deploying electronic countermeasures to interrupt the communication link between drones and their controllers. Once the drone is disabled, federal personnel locate the pilot and conduct contact to direct the operator to recover the device.
“It breaks the link between the drone and the controller, and it allows our people to go in and find the pilot. We can go in and talk to that pilot, and then we can get them to bring the drone down,” Hicks stated.
A temporary flight restriction imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration remains in effect continuously 24 hours daily through August 14. The restriction prohibits all civilian and unauthorized aircraft operations in designated airspace over the wildfire zones. Drone pilots are required to contact the FAA prior to flight operations to confirm current restrictions.
The FBI Counter UAS task force employs radar technology and radio frequency detection capabilities to identify unauthorized drone operations within restricted airspace. Hicks stated that detection permits rapid response to locate drone operators in the field.
“If you see a drone, call 911, because they cannot be up there right now in a temporary flight restriction,” Hicks stated.
Sheriff John Nowels clarified that rumors suggesting law enforcement is shooting down drones are inaccurate. Nowels stated the sheriff’s office is using electronic countermeasures, a distinction important for public understanding of law enforcement response methodology.
Nowels stated that individuals deliberately hindering or interfering with firefighting suppression efforts can face criminal penalties up to two years imprisonment and financial penalties up to $100,000.
Senator Maria Cantwell issued a statement regarding the importance of airspace compliance during wildfire operations. Cantwell stated that aerial firefighting tools are critical to protecting lives and property during the ongoing fires. Cantwell noted that the FAA has implemented temporary flight restrictions specifically to prevent non-firefighting aircraft from interfering with first responder operations. Cantwell stated that civilian drone operators continue to fly in the restricted zones despite the restrictions and the serious risks their actions pose.
Cantwell indicated that she secured approval from federal officials authorizing the federal task force to deploy countermeasures against drones not authorized to operate within the flight restriction zones.