As wildfires continue to threaten communities across the western United States, officials battling the flames from the air are increasingly hampered by unauthorized drone flights that violate restricted airspace and pose serious risks to firefighting operations.

On Monday, a wildfire in Spokane County, Washington, consumed thousands of acres as it advanced toward residential areas. Aerial firefighting efforts were grounded for nearly two hours when a drone was detected near the fire, forcing officials to halt water and retardant drops. Authorities said the delay put homes at greater risk.

“We’re here trying to help this community in their time of need,” said Tom Stokesberry III, spokesman for the interagency team fighting the fire. “When we’re hampered by a drone flying over the fire, that really frustrates us.”

Similar incidents have occurred in recent weeks throughout the region. In late June, firefighting aircraft combating the Cottonwood fire, the largest in Utah at the time, were grounded for about an hour due to a drone sighting. In southwestern Colorado, planes were grounded for roughly two hours after a drone entered a restricted airspace near a wildfire.

Since the Spokane fires began, officials report close to 40 drone sightings nearby, nearly half of all such incidents nationwide this year, according to U.S. Forest Service records. Last year, there were more than 200 drone sightings over wildfires across the country, predominantly during the Los Angeles fire season, highlighting a steady increase over previous years.

Drones present a significant hazard because firefighting aircraft operate at low altitudes, dropping water and chemical retardants. Even small drones can cause pilots to lose control. In one 2023 case over the Palisades fire in Los Angeles, a drone collided with a firefighting plane, endangering the pilot and taking the plane out of service for months.

The issue is particularly acute in urban and semi-urban areas, where numerous structures are at risk. Spokane County, for instance, has seen three fires destroy more than 700 buildings.

Most drone flights near wildfires are by hobbyists seeking aerial footage who may be unaware of the rules. The Federal Aviation Administration restricts airspace around active wildfires, designating such zones as off-limits for drones. Violations can lead to federal criminal charges, including up to two years in prison and fines reaching $175,000, with some states imposing additional penalties.

Some drone operators say they are motivated by concern, using their equipment to assess fire proximity and inform evacuation decisions. Matthew Anderson, a licensed drone pilot and videographer near Spokane, said he flew his drone legally, before restrictions were imposed, to gauge the fire’s distance from his home.

However, local officials emphasize that unauthorized drone flights disrupt critical lifesaving activities. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels confirmed his office has referred several drone violation cases to the FAA. An FBI task force involving local agencies has begun deploying counterdrone technology, including electronic jamming methods, to halt unauthorized flights.

“We are done playing games with this,” Sheriff Nowels said, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities view these incidents as wildfire seasons grow longer and more severe.