The CEO of Bridger Aerospace fears drones could collide with firefighting planes, risking lives and firefighting efforts during emergencies.
Just last week, a drone crashed into one of their planes, Quebec-1, which is one of only two Canadair CL-415 Super Scoopers fighting the Palisades fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it grounded the plane for days, which is a big deal during such a costly disaster.
Sam Davis, the interim CEO, shared that this is a long-standing fear of his. He said, “I lose sleep at night” thinking about drone strikes like the one that hit Quebec-1. It’s a scary thought because there’s not much you can do in those situations.
The FBI is now looking for the drone’s owner, as the collision left a fist-sized hole in the plane’s wing. Davis mentioned that their pilots are trained for emergencies, but if a drone hit an engine, it could have been disastrous.
Drones are becoming a common issue during wildfires, and they often force aircraft to stay grounded until it’s safe. Davis joked that the drone might have been trying to get some cool footage of the Super Scooper but ended up causing a lot of trouble instead.
The Super Scoopers are impressive machines, skimming water and dropping it on fires quickly. Davis noted that every pilot flying these planes is highly trained and a bit adventurous, which is part of what makes them great at their jobs.
But it’s not just drones causing problems. Davis mentioned that they also deal with jet skis trying to film the scoopers while racing alongside them.
After the recent incident, the FAA reminded everyone that interfering with firefighting efforts is a serious crime, with penalties that can include jail time and hefty fines.
Davis emphasized the human cost of such actions, saying they could endanger lives and lead to significant damage. He urged people to think twice before trying to capture footage during emergencies, as it’s the last thing firefighters need right now.
