According to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, an individual who allegedly flew an unauthorized drone over the Aspen Acres wildland fire in the area of Rye, Colorado has been identified. When any sort of unauthorized aircraft – including drones – is in the air within a wildfire area, firefighting aerial operations must be grounded.

Per a report on the matter, the flight took place during temporary fire-related flight restrictions in the area, with the individual later allegedly uploading footage the unauthorized drone captured to social media.

At this time, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is reportedly working with federal authorities to get federal charges filed. Earlier this month, the sheriff’s office reported that multiple unauthorized drone incursions had occurred, with an incursion of this nature above wildland fires described as a federal criminal offense that can be punishable with fines of up to $20,000.

“If a drone is seen in the airspace over the fire, it will immediately stop all planes and helicopters from their fire suppression operations, putting lives and property at risk,” wrote the sheriff’s office.

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