Public Interference

Whether offering support, gathering information or watching wildfire response in action - your presence could be diverting firefighters' attention, interfering with operations or blocking access points. Keep yourself and our responders safe by giving crews the space and time they need to do their work effectively. 

Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

When you fly a drone or UAV near or over a wildfire, you're breaking the law and endangering firefighting personnel. Transport Canada and the BC Wildfire Service explicitly prohibit the use of drones or UAVs of any size near a wildfire.

All wildfires are considered to be automatically “flight restricted” according to the federal Canadian Aviation Regulations. The restricted area is within a radius of five nautical miles around any smoke or fire and to an altitude of 3,000 feet above ground level. You can face serious penalties includes fines and/or jail time for infractions. 

Visit Transport Canada's drone use regulations to learn more. 

In spring 2016, B.C.’s Wildfire Act was amended, and anyone found interfering with wildfire control efforts (including flying drones or UAVs) can face penalties up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in jail.

Download the BC Wildfire Service drone/UAV awareness poster (PDF).

Boats and other watercraft 

Firefighting aircraft need plenty of space to safely and quickly collect water from rivers and lakes to help fight fires and for practice missions. They cannot collect water when boats or other watercraft are in the intended flight path or have created a wake on the water's surface. These conditions can delay or prevent aerial firefighting operations, slowing wildfire response when time is critical.

In addition to delaying the response, recreational boaters and/or other watercraft who try to get a close-up look at the aircraft present a serious safety risk to air crews, themselves and anyone else in the area. Not only is interference with firefighting operations dangerous, it also violates section 56 of the Wildfire Act. 

Download the BC Wildfire Service boat awareness poster (PDF).