Oh crap, and this relates to conversation above. This has got to stop.

Drones Keep Firefighters From Saving Burning Cars in California Wildfire

petapixel.com

A wildfire tore through Southern California’s Cajon Pass yesterday, crossing a freeway and engulfing a number of cars in its path. Now authorities are saying that firefighters could have done more to save cars and homes… were it not for multiple drones getting in the way of firefighting operations.

NBC Southern California is reporting that at least five drones — presumably being used to shoot aerial photos and videos — were spotted over the fire, causing all five firefighting air units in the area to jettison their loads and return to their airports.

Two of the drones actually started chasing the air units, says NBC So Cal, and the pilots’ actions ended up delaying rescue response by about 20 minutes. The fire ended up destroying five homes and more than a dozen cars.

I nominate them to kick in on everyone’s tow bill as partly responsible.