header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 15
1942 - Emery Whilton's Florafaunium opens in Lebec [story]
Florafaunium


| Friday, Aug 7, 2015
DroneDonMcCullough
Photo: Don McCullough

[KHTS] – Firefighters have had to ground aircraft while battling brush fires, and Santa Clarita Valley residents have reported invasion of privacy, both causing an uproar against drones.

The city of Santa Clarita’s municipal code states in section 14.06.210 E,  “No person shall operate in any park any model airplane, boat, car, craft, or other similar device that is powered by an internal combustion engine, remote control, or other similar or electrical power source, except in an area and at such times as designated for such use by the director (of parks, recreation and community service).”

“The code was adopted some time ago, but those types of devices, just like a golf ball or anything that’s thrown, could hit a park user,” said Rick Gould, director of parks, recreation and community service for Santa Clarita, in a previous interview.

The FAA has placed temporary flight restrictions for drones and other unmanned aircraft systems around wildfires, which means the unmanned aircraft should not fly there without agency approval, said spokesman Ian Gregor, in an interview with CNN.

Over the past couple weeks, five drones at different wildfires in California have prevented firefighters from using helicopters and other aircraft to fight fires, according to CNN.

“As far as the FAA is concerned, a drone is basically defined as any four propeller or more with a GPS,” said Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Deputy Kevin Duxbury. “You can actually buy these from a local hobby store. They range anywhere from $400 to thousands of dollars, depending on what you want to invest in.

“You can mount cameras to them and this is where the issues start to come in, a lot of people are complaining about invasion of privacy issues and things like that.”

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies recommend contacting the station at 661-255-1121 to report illegal drone activity or if there is an unwanted drone flying over your home.

dronesHere are some tips and regulations when flying drones, according to the Federal Aviation Administration:

* Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles

* Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times

* Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations

* Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower before flying

* Don’t fly near people or stadiums

* Don’t fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs

* Don’t be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft – you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft

Civil fines can range from $1,000 to $25,000 if a drone is operated in a dangerous manner or the person continues to operate a drone illegally after being contacted by the FAA, Gregor said, in an interview with CNN.

The FAA has partnered with the Know Before You Fly, an education campaign founded by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and the Small UAV Coalition in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to educate prospective users about the safe and responsible operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), according to the website.

For more information about how to use drones safely and legally, visit the website.

An area at Castaic Lake is also reserved for unmanned aircraft systems.

Two pieces of legislation are also in the works, which representatives hope will help protect firefighters and residents.

“Drone operators are risking lives when they fly over an emergency situation.  Just because you have access to an expensive toy that can fly in a dangerous area doesn’t mean you should do it,” said Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, chair of the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection.  “The legislature needs to send a signal that our society simply won’t put up with this nonsense.  It’s very frustrating to see drone operators once again disrupt firefighting efforts in the Cajon Pass.”

Senate Bills 167 and 168, written by Gatto and Senator Ted Gaines, increases fines and introduces the possibility of jail time for drone use that interferes with firefighting efforts as well as granting immunity to any emergency responder who damages an unmanned aircraft in the course of firefighting, air ambulance, or search-and-rescue operations, according to a news release.

“People can replace drones, but we can’t replace a life,” said Gaines. “When our rescuers are risking their own lives to protect us, I want them thinking about safety, not liability.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

38 Comments

  1. Greg Brown says:

    Shoot them down and save a life or a home. Or more!

    • Eric Baker says:

      Shoot it, it catches fire and lights another house on fire.. Good idea!!!!

    • Greg Brown says:

      Wrong Eric Baker. It drops right on the fire it was video taping and burns in the shrubbery allowing Firefighters in airplanes to do their job more efficiently.
      Go play with yours in MojaveDesert. Don’t forget your water.

    • Eric Baker says:

      I agree with not flying them in the middle of a firefight, but you saying to shoot them, that causes the lipo to explode, which could create a fire wherever it may be. I know exactly what i’m talking about.

    • Greg Brown says:

      LA Co. sharpshooters have pretty good aim. Keep your toys away.

    • Eric Baker says:

      I’m not the problem..You need not be hostile towards me. The impact alone from the crash can also cause them to explode. Happened yesterday in Van Nuys in fact.

    • Greg Brown says:

      More reason to keep them away from property and fires. Good night. Peace.

    • Eric Baker says:

      I agree 100%. A few idiots out there make all the good modelers look bad with this behavior. I do my flying in Van Nuys at the model park. Sadly, these idiots have more money than brains. Taints the hobby for the rest of us…

    • If any morons actually try and shoot one down, and they miss – where do you suppose that bullet will come down?

    • Greg Brown says:

      Have you seen America Sniper Jared? 1000 yard + confirmed kill.
      Hey! How about a 12ga shot towards brushfires?

    • Mike Morgan says:

      Pellets Jared, shotguns Jared!

    • If there is a fire and we have Men and Women fighting it AND have a Plane or Helicopter in the air to fight it, you people flying the Drones should have the curtesy to let them do their job and not put them in harms way!!!! WTF is wrong with people these days?

    • Yes, and how many live here that are snipers, very few if any. The problem with the drones Jared, is some of them can fly high. Certain model helicopters have a specific intake system, not just the dual rotor blades (vertical and horizontal ). Drone gets sucked in or hits the rotor blades can cause a helo to go down. The aircraft used, a drone can easily get sucked into the system and if it is a prop plane, same thing.

    • No argument that drones have no business near a fire, or hovering outside someone’s home. Screw that. But shooting it down? Moronic. And comparing a gun owner in the SCV to the gent in “American Sniper”? Yeah. Right. That’s like saying y’all are as smart as Einstein, as pretty as a supermodel, and as skilled as a heart surgeon.

    • Greg Brown says:

      Jared Gardner, again I repeat, an LA Co sharpshooter. Not “Joe Citizen”. Sheesh.

    • Greg Brown says:

      SHERRIF FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. I’M DONE.

  2. Mike Morgan says:

    Who do they belong to, gotta shoot ’em down, might belong to terrorists…

  3. More fun than shooting birds!!

  4. Great idea. Shoot off a gun into the air. What happens if you “freedom fighters” miss? Wonder where the bullet lands?

  5. i shot like 5 of ’em already…..

  6. Can someone tell me how they are interfering with fire fighting aircraft ? Are they up as high as the water dropping helicopter? Why can’t the helicopter just drop its water and “oops the drone was in the way.. Oh well”

  7. David Potter says:

    Strap a gun on it, and demand your 2nd ammendment rights.

  8. David Potter says:

    Honestly, a signal jammer on the alotted drone frequencies would make them land or return to launch point.

  9. John Gilbert says:

    That story droned on and on…

  10. Andy Ryan says:

    Let’s jam them out of the sky. As a drone owner/operator, I believe in lawful and safe flying. Anyone flying a UAV over a wildfire does not deserve the privilege to fly one at all. It’s a continuous problem. They often fly at similar elevations as the helicopters or super scoopers, which makes them more than “a piece of plastic in the sky”. It makes them shrapnel that can do things like crack windshields on aircraft. If the fire is on BLM land, I say that citizens under the second amendment should be allowed to shoot them out of the sky. Otherwise, they should be jammed (these things use standard 2.4 ghz/5.8 ghz WIFI). This will disable them from the pilot’s controller and they will hover until they run out of battery (these things have like… 20 min batteries).

  11. Fear Of A Drone Planet.

  12. Fear Of A Drone Planet.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
Stream TypeLIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
March 15: Lumpia Eating Contest at Island Pacific Santa Clarita
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
March 26: SCV Water Hosts Public Workshop on Water Use Efficiency Plan
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
April 5: Annual Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer at Central Park
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1942 - Emery Whilton's Florafaunium opens in Lebec [story]
Florafaunium
Today in SCV History (March 15)
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Kathryn Barger | Wildfire Analysis
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
March 15: Lumpia Eating Contest at Island Pacific Santa Clarita
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
March 18: Saugus School Board to Receive Measure EE Annual Report
After a successful pilot program in the Saugus Union School District, School Day Café has expanded the use of a new, eco-friendly serving tray option across all Santa Clarita Valley elementary schools.
SCV Elementary School Lunches Offered on Eco-friendly Serving Trays
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
March 26: SCV Water Hosts Public Workshop on Water Use Efficiency Plan
College of the Canyons Women's Tennis got back in the win column with an 8-1 conference road win at Glendale College.
Canyons Gets Back in the Win Column 8-1 at Glendale
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
April 5: Annual Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer at Central Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
March 15: St. Francis Dam Tour Postponed Due to Rain
The city of Santa Clarita is enhancing local roadways with the upcoming 2024-2025 Citywide Major Thoroughfare Median Refurbishment Project on Plum Canyon Road.
City of Santa Clarita to Refurbish Plum Canyon Road Medians
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising Celebrity Waiter Dinner to be held Saturday, April 26 at the Bella Vida Senior Center.
April 26: Celebrity Waiter Dinner to Feature ‘Broadway Lights’ Theme
2000 - Time capsule buried at Newhall Metrolink station [Station Grand Opening Video]
Newhall Metrolink
As you drive through Santa Clarita, you may have noticed something exciting, new projects are taking shape all around the city.
Patsy Ayala | From Groundbreakings to Grand Openings
The Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley 16th Annual Wine Affair: Wine, Beer and Cheer Big Hat Bash will be held Sunday, April 6 on Main Street in Old Town Newhall from noon to 5 p.m.
April 6: The 16th Annual Wine Affair Big Hat Bash
The city of Santa Clarita's art exhibition, "Saddle Up Santa Clarita" will run through Wednesday, May 14 at Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355.
‘Saddle Up Santa Clarita’ Art Exhibition in City Hall
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that 10 high school seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Hart District Announces National Merit Scholarship Finalists
The Master's University Theater Arts presents 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde Fridays and Saturdays, March 21-29 at The Master's University, Music Recital Hall at 24736 Quigley Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
March 21-29: TMU Theater Arts Presents ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’
Beginning Monday, March 17, at 6 a.m., Jet will be hosting “Jet into Work,” on 88.5-FM, The SoCal Sound which will lend a fun and upbeat start to listeners’ mornings.
The SoCal Sound to Present ‘Jet into Work’ Radio Show
Safely dispose of household hazardous waste and electronic waste for free 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5 at the College of the Canyons Valencia Campus, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
April 5: Free HHW, E-Waste Disposal at COC
The Music Center has announced 113 of Southern California’s most talented high school students have advanced in The Music Center’s 37th Annual Spotlight program, which includes three students from the Santa Clarita Valley.
Three from SCV Earn Music Center Spotlight Recognition
The track and field teams at The Master's University began their 2025 outdoor campaign at the Occidental Spring Break Classic on Saturday, March 8. Multiple qualifiers were added and a school record fell in the men's 4x100m relay.
TMU Track Opens Outdoor Season at Oxy
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has announced the introduction of the Roads to Resilience Act, AB 1132, a piece of legislation designed to prioritize the needs of communities disproportionately impacted by climate disasters.
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Improve Evacuation in At-Risk Areas
College of the Canyons baseball claimed its first conference win in a 10-5 affair over Citrus College at Mike Gillespie Field on Tuesday, March 10.
Cougars Pick Up First Conference Win 10-5 Over Citrus
Opera America, a nonprofit that supports opera in the United States, recently announced the 2025 recipients of two of its prestigious distinctions: the 2025 Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize and the Discovery Grants from its Opera Grants for Women Composers program.
CalArtians Named Opera America 2025 Prize Winners, Grantees
SCVNews.com