Drones Getting in the Way of Emergency Responders

The U.S. Forest Service has tallied 13 wildfires in which suspected drones interfered with firefighting aircraft this year

SAN DIEGO—As Jason Thrasher lowered his helicopter to a park with seven firefighters aboard, he saw what he thought was another firefighting chopper battling a blaze that was threatening homes.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection pilot suddenly identified the object as a four-rotor drone only 10 feet from his windshield, forcing him to make a hard left to avoid a collision about 500 feet above ground, according to a report he filed the next day.

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