Officials from Coconino National Forest in Arizona are blaming a drone for starting a wildfire last Tuesday.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, several firefighter crews responded to a smoke report from a drone on fire north of Flagstaff at approximately 12:35 p.m.
Via Twitter, the Coconino National Forest posted updates on the status of the Kendrick Fire, which was contained at 5:30 p.m. after spreading for 335 acres.
The national forest, which did not reveal details about the specific drone, says the aircraft had caught fire after it landed.
WILDFIRE FINAL UPDATE: Kendrick Fire 🔥 Joint operations with Summit Fire Dept stopped forward progress at 335-acres 🔥 Chapel of the Holy Dove made safe by back burning🔥 Drone caught fire after landing@12:35 p.m. 🔥 Watch for smoke overnight🔥 @CoconinoSheriff @AZTRAIL pic.twitter.com/cMonJ5pjgz
— Coconino NF (@CoconinoNF) March 6, 2018
Unmanned aircraft system pilots are allowed to fly within the Coconino National Forest, but they must adhere to federal rules, such as not flying within five miles of the Sedona airport and not operating in a designated wilderness area.
