April 2, 2026 – With recent warm, dry weather conditions this spring, wildfire activity is increasing across Minnesota. Due to the smoky conditions wildfires produce, firefighter visibility is often limited, especially for firefighting pilots and crew members making timely water or fire-retardant drops during an active fire. Because of these hazardous conditions, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center reminds Minnesotans that unauthorized drone use within wildfire areas is prohibited.
“Everyone should expect where there’s wildfire smoke, there’s likely firefighters, helicopters and airplanes on the scene or on the way,” said Leanne Langeberg with the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center. “Wildfires are hazardous environments, and there is simply no space available for an unplanned drone.”
Minnesota and federal law prohibit interfering with a firefighter in the performance of their official duties, including unauthorized use of drones that delay or restrict wildland firefighting aircraft.
While the convenience of a drone may seem harmless to an operator, a quick look from the sky can quickly turn into a dangerous situation for Minnesota’s firefighters. During the peak of Minnesota’s spring wildfire season in mid-May last year, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center coordinated up to 50 firefighting aircraft responding to wildfires or actively seeking new ones across Minnesota each day.
During this period of high fire activity, an undetected drone was spotted over a wildfire near Roseau, Minnesota. Firefighters were left unaware of the encounter until a video was posted on social media. This dangerous and preventable encounter that placed firefighters in harm’s way was one of 34 drone encounters that occurred on wildfires in the United States last year.
Drones are known to cause significant damage to firefighting aircraft. When a drone is spotted in or near a wildfire, firefighting aircraft on scene or en route are directed to land or return to base until the drone is clear. The delay costs valuable time that could be spent slowing down a rapidly moving wildfire. Throughout Minnesota, aircraft may be called in to support wildfire suppression at any time from the moment the wildfire is detected until it is out. For the safety of firefighters and emergency responders, please keep drones away from wildfires.
