Drone Hinders Fire Crews Battling Ventura Freeway Brush Fire

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, CA – Firefighters today made quick work of a quarter-acre brush fire near the eastbound Ventura (134) Freeway in the Eagle Rock area, despite being hampered by the presence of a drone.

The non-injury blaze was reported about 10:25 a.m. in the 7500 block of Figueroa Street, which is just south of the freeway, and was extinguished in 40 minutes, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"Though no helicopter water drops proved necessary, the presence of a hobby drone restricted the option of LAFD to use helicopters for fire attack, and limited their abilities for command support," Humphrey said. "This hobby drone issue is being looked into by LAPD."

He urged people to fly drones only in appropriate places.

"It's a big planet," Humphrey said. "No drones in fire zones."

There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire, which caused the Highway Patrol to close three eastbound freeway lanes as a precaution.

Drones also interfered with the Sand Fire battle: Sand Fire: More Drone Woes; State Of Emergency Issued; Animal Fundraisers Underway; Containment At 40% [Wednesday Update]

And from this morning: Brush Fire Closes Southbound I-5 Near Castaic

--City News Service/File photo