Two Drone Operators Arrested Near Eaton Fire, Sheriff Reports

The Sheriff’s Department has arrested two individuals for flying unauthorized drones in areas affected by the Eaton Fire, according to Captain Jabari Williams, reports Deadline. The arrests mark a significant enforcement action as authorities crack down on drone interference with firefighting operations.

Enforcement Action Follows Recent Drone Incident

The arrests come amid heightened concerns about drone interference with firefighting efforts. Just days earlier, fire suppression operations were hampered when a civilian drone collided with an air tanker on Thursday, forcing the aircraft to be temporarily grounded.

Zero Tolerance Approach

Law enforcement officials have emphasized strict enforcement of temporary flight restrictions in fire-affected areas. These restrictions will remain in effect through January 25 and apply to areas above and around both the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire zones.

Ongoing Investigation

While the Sheriff’s Department confirmed the arrests, they indicated no additional details were available at this time. Meanwhile, the FBI has launched a separate investigation to locate the operator of the drone involved in Thursday’s collision with the firefighting aircraft.

The enforcement actions underscore authorities’ commitment to protecting aerial firefighting operations, which remain crucial in the ongoing battle against the Eaton and Palisades fires that have collectively burned more than 37,000 acres since January 7.

Click here to read more about recent drone incidents.

Photo courtesy of Hunter Bolding on X


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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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