Eight different illegal drone-flying incidents in and around an active wildfire in Jasper National Park have resulted in four separate charges being laid by Parks Canada wardens.

Katie Ellsworth, Fire Management Officer and Plans Section Chief on the Chetamon Wildfire, said flying illegal drones compromises the safety of the public, aircraft and firefighting personnel.

“A drone could become entangled with a helicopter and could result in damage to the aircraft, or even a fatality to a pilot,” Ellsworth said.

The incidents have all come in the last three weeks, since the Chetamon Mountain wildfire began on September 1. The fire, which remains active, is located approximately 18 kilometres from the Jasper townsite. 

Under Transport Canada’s aircraft access regulations, no aircraft may fly within a roughly 9 km radius of a wildfire. Additionally, under the Canada National Parks Act, it is illegal to fly a drone in Jasper National Park.

“When we have to ground an aircraft, we no longer have an eye in the sky,” Ellsworth said. 

Without that bird’s-eye view, fire managers can’t track fire behaviour as closely. That poses a risk for firefighting personnel on the ground, Ellsworth said.

“Without an aircraft, should fire behaviour change and personnel require a quick exit, they may not be able to get out of a tight situation.”

The most recent occurrence of illegal drone activity took place yesterday (Wednesday, September 21). Around noon, a Parks Canada staging area manager noticed a drone flying near where helicopters were landing, refuelling and taking off. Other illegal drone operators have flown their remote-controlled aircraft from the 12-Mile Bridge area and the Jasper Airstrip.

“Resulting in these activities, we had to ground all aircraft for an hour or two at a time,” Ellsworth said.

Some of the more egregious drone incidents took place in the early stages of the Chetamon wildfire, not long after the fire grew exponentially, when up to eight helicopters were conducting major bucketing operations. 

“It resulted in an inability to actively suppress a wildfire that was quite active at that point,” Ellsworth said.

Helicopters conducting such operations fly with a large bucket underneath, attached by a long line.

“It’s a tight air space, there are smoke issues, lots of aircraft…anything in that area of a machine doing those operations can really be dangerous.” 

As a result of the incidents, park wardens seized four drones and have charged four separate parties under the National Parks Act. Court dates have been set for later this year and the maximum fine for this offence is $25,000, Ellsworth said.

In all four instances, swift reporting by members of the public was key to Park Wardens being able to respond quickly, investigate and lay charges, Ellsworth said, adding that Parks Canada appreciates the support of the public in reporting these dangerous situations. 

The public may report any illegal activity by calling 780-852-6155 with as many details as possible.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com