The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is considering banning residents' use of drones at fire and law enforcement events, including wildfires.
Drone operators would be fined between $100 and $500 under the ordinance.
During several major wildfires across the Bay Area and Northern California, drones have come dangerously close to CAL FIRE aircraft and other aerial equipment used by law enforcement.
Steve Baxman, Fire Chief with the Monte Rio Fire Protection District, told KCBS Radio on Tuesday "it's dangerous as heck" when drones fly close to an emergent scene.
"They have had to shut the aircraft down," Baxman said. "If they see a drone, everybody shuts down immediately. Yeah, it’s that dangerous."
There have been several near misses during multiple blazes. The same goes for incidents where medical ambulance helicopters were deployed.
Baxman said CAL FIRE is working on technology allowing them to combat the drones.
"They actually have drone catchers," he explained. "I've seen where they can shoot a shell and it will throw a net over them. But the other thing they have is an electric impulse. It will send some message, and it will break the contact between the controller and the drone."
