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Feds To Deploy Anti-Drone Software Near Wildfires (thehill.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Hill: Federal officials are launching a new "geofencing" program to alert drone pilots when they're flying too close to wildfire prevention operations. The Department of Interior said Monday it would deploy software warnings to pilots when their drones pose a risk to the aircraft used by emergency responders fighting wildfires. The agency said there have been 15 instances of drones interfering with firefighter operations this year, including several leading to grounded aircraft. Drone-related incidents doubled between 2014 and 2015, the agency said. Officials built the new warning system with the drone industry, and the agency said manufacturers could eventually use it to build drones that automatically steer away from wildfire locations. The program is in its pilot phase, the agency said; officials hope to have a full public release in time for next year's wildfire season. "No responsible drone operator wants to endanger the lives of the men and women who work to protect them and we believe this program, which uses the global positioning system to create a virtual barrier, will move us one step closer to eliminating this problem for wildfire managers," Mark Bathrick, the director of the Interior Department's Office of Aviation Service, said in a statement.

3 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. The program is in its pilot phase by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ohhh, that was horrible!

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  2. If you don't like that... by PhantomHarlock · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...just wait until geofencing is applied to self driving cars, and for political reasons. "I'm sorry dave, I can't take you to the protest zone..."

  3. Re:Wrong solution by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    All that's going to take is one good strike from lightening

    Or two from darkening.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."