Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources paused firefighting operations in northeastern Ontario on Sunday after a drone was sighted in the vicinity. Fire information officer Sydney Morgan-Gervais emphasized the dangers of flying drones near wildfires, citing the risk of collisions with firefighting aircraft that could jeopardize the safety of pilots, firefighters, and emergency personnel.
Morgan-Gervais disclosed that two Canadair CL-415 water bombers were deployed to combat the 2.8-hectare Cochrane 32 wildfire located west of Kapuskasing. Authorities are currently conducting an inquiry into the drone incident, which is part of a growing trend in Ontario.
Under federal regulations, unauthorized aircraft, including drones, are prohibited from operating within five nautical miles of a wildfire at altitudes below 3,000 feet. As of Monday morning, the Cochrane 32 fire was under control, with firefighting efforts resuming after the drone disruption.