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VIDEO- NO DRONES in the restricted airspace above the Spokane Complex Fires!  Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) applies 24 hours a day!   

Yesterday, August 5, 2026, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels and Deputy Doug Hicks, a member of the FBI Counter UAS Task Force, held a briefing to explain the specialized equipment being deployed to help detect unauthorized drones that are entering the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR).

Members of the FBI Counter UAS Task Force assisting:  King County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Spokane Valley Police Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.    

WSP Press Release for August 5, 2026 

Restricted Airspace Surrounding Spokane Complex Fires to Protect Firefighter Operations 

Spokane, Wash. –The airspace surrounding the Spokane Complex fires is currently restricted to all unauthorized aircraft, including drones, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of aerial firefighting operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Map and Information can be viewed here. https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_6_0894  

The FBI Counter UAS Task Force, including members of the King County Sheriff's Office, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, the Seattle Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol, has deployed specialized equipment capable of detecting unauthorized drones operating within the 24-hour restricted airspace. On August 2, the system detected 26 unauthorized drones, followed by 13 additional unauthorized drones on August 3, causing aerial firefighting to stop at least once. These incursions disrupted ongoing aerial firefighting efforts and posed a significant safety risk to emergency response personnel.

Operating a drone without proper authorization in restricted airspace is both illegal and dangerous and may result in civil or criminal penalties. Before flying, drone operators should always check for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), No Drone Zones, and local ordinances. Pilots are also encouraged to use the FAA's B4UFLY tool to verify they are flying in a location where drone operations are permitted.

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