With the exceptionally hot and dry weather this last week in the UK, the pressure is on the fire service to keep everyone safe – wildfires are popping up across the British Isles. Don’t make it unsafe for the men and women of our emergency services to work by flying drones anywhere nearby.
There are reports appearing of irresponsible pilots taking their drones out for an impromptu flight above wildfires across of the Cumbria & Lancashire. Hovershotz were contacted by a news crew asking if we were able to provide aerial drone filming of any of the wild fires currently raging across Winter Hill Lancashire, naturally we declined due to operating in close proximity of emergency services helicopters.
DOING THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND DOING SO PUTS LIVES OF HELICOPTER RESPONSE CREW AND FIREFIGHTERS ON THE GROUND AT EXTREME RISK. DON’T FLY YOUR DRONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Lancashire Police have had to plea with the public through a Facebook post.
HELICOPTERS AND AIRCRAFT ASSISTING WITH THE EFFORTS TO QUASH THE FIRES ARE EXTREMELY BUSY WHEN FLYING THESE DANGEROUS MISSIONS. THE LAST THING THEY WANT TO BE DOING IS TAKING EVASIVE ACTION WHEN THEY SEE A DRONE.
The last thing you want to see in this situation is a drone.
This BBC news wales article shows helicopters in action. (LINK)
Fly responsibly, fly safe, and most importantly, report any questionable drone activity you see near wildfires to the police immediately. There are also a number of drone Facebook groups who are checking Youtube for any drone footage obtained in an unsafe manner of the wild fires and are reporting these irresponsible drone operators to the police.
Let the men and women of our emergency services work in as safe environment as possible.
Currently Cumbria Fire and Rescue are currently dealing with a number of wild grass fires across the Lake District at Aspatria, Broughton Beck, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven & Workington in Cumbria.
