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

Posted by BeauHD on from the restricted-area dept.

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. Re:If you don't like that... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    That's already happening. The DNC shutdown some public transit in order to disrupt Sanders supporters.

  2. Re:Wrong solution by MightyMartian · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And don't forget, drone operators are the most important people in the world, and forests should burn so they can fly their toys anywhere they like!

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  3. geofence the pilots instead by swell · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Shouldn't drones be fighting the fire? Why send humans up there? Drones have more carrying capacity per horsepower (no bulky life support systems needed) potentially better maneuverability, and don't risk lives. Yes, it's new technology and the ideal drone for that job may not exist yet- but that's the future and it should begin now.

    --
    ...omphaloskepsis often...