Counter-UAS Strategies Implemented to Address Drone Activity Over Spokane Wildfires
Drone Interference in Eastern Washington Wildfires
FBI and Local Officials Address Unauthorized Drone Activity
by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
Federal and local officials are expressing concern over unauthorized drone flights over wildfires in eastern Washington state, which led to a temporary halt of firefighting aircraft operations earlier this month.
The situation arose amid several destructive wildfires in the Spokane area, resulting in the loss of approximately 800 buildings and the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in five areas surrounding Spokane, effective from August 2 through August 15, restricting airspace from the surface up to 7,000 feet MSL.
Phil Randolph, supervisory special agent with the FBI’s Seattle office, reported that multiple firefighting aircraft were grounded for over an hour due to concerns about unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the restricted area. “We always have to ask if those air operations would have continued for that hour, would that have been another neighborhood saved from the fire?” he stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining air operations during emergencies.
Formation of the Counter-UAS Task Force
The FBI Counter-UAS Task Force, based in Seattle, was deployed to oversee operations during the Boeing Seafair Air Show when the wildfires prompted evacuations in Spokane. This task force includes members from various local law enforcement agencies, such as the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Doug Hicks, a member of the task force, traveled from Seattle to assist local firefighting efforts. On August 2, the task force detected 26 unauthorized drones operating in restricted airspace, followed by an additional 13 the next day. The presence of these drones led to a decision to ground firefighting aircraft due to safety concerns.
Whenever unauthorized drones were detected, ground intercept teams were deployed to locate the pilots and instruct them to land their drones, as they were violating the TFR. While no arrests were made, the pilots’ information was collected for potential FAA investigation.
Collaboration Among Agencies
During a press conference on August 5, Hicks and Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels discussed the collaborative efforts to address drone interference with emergency operations. Hicks noted that emergency personnel were already stretched thin due to the number of active wildfires.
The task force utilized specialized equipment to detect unauthorized drones and safely bring them down using electronic countermeasures. Hicks explained that the equipment disrupts the link between the drone and its controller, allowing officials to locate and communicate with the pilot.
“We’re not shooting them out of the sky. That wouldn’t be safe,” Hicks stated, highlighting the risks associated with such actions. He urged drone pilots to adhere to TFRs and regulations governing UAV operations in disaster areas.
Importance of Compliance with FAA Regulations
Randolph acknowledged that some drone pilots may have been motivated by personal concerns about their neighborhoods or the desire to capture images of the wildfires. However, he stressed the necessity for drone operators to check for FAA restrictions before flying.
“The FBI is supportive of legal, authorized drone usage,” he said, urging pilots to utilize the FAA’s B4UFLY website to verify active TFRs in their area. “We want people to be able to enjoy their drones but at the same time they’ve got to do so responsibly and abide by FAA regulations.”