Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – Beyond Visual Line of Sight

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around is an integral method for gathering situational awareness when responding to fire assignments. The increased use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the public domain and on the fireline has significantly impacted the “Look Up” portion of the equation. It is critical to be aware of your surroundings on the ground and in the air.

Non-agency, non-cooperator UAS can operate under a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) meaning a UAS operator can operate their UAS/drone outside of their line of sight. This can create potential airspace conflicts with aircraft on an emerging or established wildland fire. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a procedure to help mitigate conflicts between firefighting operations and BVLOS TFRs. To learn more about the BVLOS TFR, please review the Interagency Aviation Information Bulletin, No. IA IB 23-06, at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/iaib-2023-06.pdf.

Ask yourself: What is a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in UAS operations and how might it affect me?

• Firefighting aircraft may not be able to enter into the TFR. How does this impact your:
  • Strategy?
  • Tactics?
  • Hazard assessments?
  • Emergency medical response?
• There may be an authorized or unauthorized UAS or drone working directly above you, what do you need to be aware of?
• Do you know when TFRs will be active and are you aware of their duration?
• If your fire doesn’t require the use of aviation, but there is a BVLOS TFR in place and drone operators have the authority to work above you within their established TFR, do you have any concerns? If so, what are they?

Consider the following actions if you are an Incident Commander (IC) or IC trainee:

• Communicate aviation delay information to all resources and base tactics on delayed aviation.
• Brief all resources about UAS operations over personnel and equipment that may be in close proximity and /or low altitude legally.
• Inform dispatch if an unknown UAS is in close proximity and/or low altitude during wildland fires.
• Continue to employ Look Up, Look Down, and Look Around.