Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2017
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly or recklessly operate an unmanned aircraft that interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort.
It imposes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both—on a violator.
The prohibition does not apply to the operation of an unmanned aircraft by the government to protect public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response efforts.