A significant wildfire in Northern California, dubbed the Elephant Fire, has grown to over 6,400 acres, more than twice the size of Beverly Hills. Firefighting efforts were temporarily suspended on Sunday due to reports of an unauthorized drone operating in restricted airspace. The blaze was 5% contained as of Monday morning, with evacuation orders and warnings in effect for parts of Lassen and Plumas counties.
The Sierra County Sheriff's Office received reports of the drone interfering with active firefighting aircraft. Deputies responded to the area, identified the drone operator, and confirmed the device was no longer a threat before aerial operations could resume. Investigators determined the drone was flying above legal altitude limits and within a Temporary Flight Restriction zone established for wildfire suppression.
The Sheriff's Office is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration on the investigation. The case will be forwarded to the Sierra County District Attorney's Office for review and potential criminal charges. Officials emphasized that operating a drone near an active wildfire is both dangerous and illegal, as it can force aircraft to cease operations, delaying crucial efforts and endangering firefighters and the public.
Evacuation orders have been issued for specific zones, with officials describing the situation as an immediate threat to life. The affected area is lawfully closed to public access.