Drone Grounds Canadair Aircraft Above Wildfire
After the incident in Vrsi, the Croatian Firefighting Community issued an urgent warning to all citizens who, out of curiosity, film fire sites
After the incident in Vrsi, the Croatian Firefighting Community issued an urgent warning to all citizens who, out of curiosity, film fire sites
The Croatian Firefighting Community (HVZ) issued a stern warning on August 4, 2026, urging citizens to stop using drones to film fire sites. The appeal comes after someone flew a drone over a fire in the settlement of Vrsi in Zadar County on Sunday, just before the announcement, effectively grounding firefighting aircraft.
The incident in Vrsi did not go without consequences. Due to the presence of a drone in the operational zone, Canadair pilots were forced to immediately suspend flight operations and halt firefighting efforts. This move, driven solely by curiosity or the desire to capture attractive content, directly endangered the safety of everyone involved and significantly complicated the situation on the ground.
In their statement, the HVZ was unequivocal: "Using drones in the firefighting zone endangers the safety of aircraft crews as well as firefighters on the ground. A drone striking a firefighting aircraft can seriously damage or even bring down the aircraft. If aircraft crews spot a drone in the operational zone, they will immediately cease firefighting operations, which greatly complicates the situation on the ground."
In addition to appealing to citizens' conscience, the firefighting community announced concrete steps. They stated that every case of unauthorized drone use for filming fires will be reported to the police. "We once again warn citizens, do not use drones to film fire sites and do not obstruct firefighting or other interventions by firefighters for the sake of filming, curiosity, or entertainment. Any unauthorized drone filming of fires will be reported to the police," the HVZ stated.
The warning is not limited to drones. Firefighters also highlighted that boats approaching zones on the sea or lakes where Canadair aircraft collect water, as well as pedestrians and drivers coming to fire sites to take photos and videos, also hinder their work. Such behavior not only obstructs the intervention but also puts themselves in direct danger.
Finally, the HVZ urges anyone who spots a fire not to reach for cameras but to pick up the phone and immediately call firefighters at 193.
