WEST KELOWNA — Fire crews have been forced to temporarily stop air operations on the Westside Road wildfire fight because of drones flying overhead in the area.
Klassen says a water delivery helicopter supporting land crews has been grounded because of the drones.
WATCH: Regulation, legality and safety of drones
Klassen says the B.C. Wildfire Service and RCMP are working together to deal with the incident. Klassen added that Transport Canada and the Wildfire Management Branch prohibit the use of drones of any size near a wildfire.
“This aerial activity is dangerous, and poses a significant safety risk to personnel, especially when low-flying firefighting aircraft are present.”
For the safety of firefighting personnel and the public, Klassen says there are restrictions in place for areas around the wildfire.
A map of the restricted area is below:
The Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes the Okanagan, is urging extreme caution in the back country.
The fire danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre is currently high to extreme.
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