US Forest Service says drones delayed air attack on 1-15 fire in California
(Thanks to Amber Henderson McCormack for sending this to STATter911.com.)
For at least the third time there is a report from fire officials that drones delayed attack on a wildfire. The latest incident occurred yesterday (Friday) as drones forced planes to land that were sent to fight a wildfire along the 15 Freeway in Southern California that burned cars and homes.
Robert Kovacik & Kelly Goff, KNBC-TV:
All air units not only pulled back from the fire because of the drones, but all five were forced to touch back down at the airport in San Bernardino after jettisoning their loads, John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service said.
Five drones were initially spotted over the fire, which consumed five homes and more than a dozen cars as motorists frantically fled on foot through the Cajon Pass.
Two drones actually gave chase to air units, and the incident delayed response by about 15 to 20 minutes, according to Battalion Chief Marc Peebles of San Bernardino County Fire Department.
