Fed up with recent delays of firefighting efforts, the Mayor of Poway has introduced a proposal banning drones from flying within 2 miles of fires or other local emergencies. Under the ordinance proposed Tuesday, violators of the new rules would face a fine of up to $1,000.
"I don't want to get to Santa Ana season with winds whipping fire flames and look back on this night and think I wish we would have done something," Mayor Steve Vaus said.
Poway’s city attorney will now begin drafting an ordinance which would come before the city council for discussion on September 1st. While the FAA has jurisdiction over drones, local governments can also enact regulations of their own.
Vaus' proposal comes amid pending state legislation that would tighten the rules on drone use and stiffen penalties for drone operators who interfere with emergency firefighting efforts.
Read more about the proposed ordinance here.
Image Credit: Flickr User blmoregon, https://flic.kr/p/enwxho via (CC BY 2.0)