This month, Greenville residents commemorated one year since the Dixie Fire leveled their community. The fire grew to become the largest single wildfire in California state history.
Officials concluded that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was liable for the start of the fire by allowing a damaged tree to remain “cooking” on an electrical distribution line the company owned and operated. But once the fire was detected, other factors complicated efforts to slow the fire’s growth, including an unidentified drone that flew over the fire while it was just 1 to 2 acres.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey led the criminal investigation into the Dixie Fire and said the drone caused firefighters to have to cease their air attack.
“The fixed-wing planes had basically painted a area around the fire and helicopters were in the process of actually putting the fire dead out in that perimeter when a drone appeared — an unknown drone — which required all of those aircraft to vacate the area,” he said.
#Dixiefire [update], Fire is still holding at 1 to 2 acres, crews are going to have to hike into the fire. Air attack is going to continually drop retardant on it until they cannot fly anymore. Copters is dropping also. pic.twitter.com/73nYbIv0vv
— CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_ButteCo) July 14, 2021
According to Cal Fire, the drone stalled suppression efforts during a critical phase of the firefighting process called the “initial attack.” Ramsey said interrupting the air attack allowed the fire to grow overnight.
“The fire rekindled with the winds that are normal in the canyon at that time of year … and started the monster that happened,” he said.
Ramsey said his office initially suspected that PG&E was responsible for the drone, but has since concluded that the agency had no part to play.
“We determined, both physically and electronically, that it was not PG&E drones,” Ramsey said.
#Dixiefire [update], A unauthorized drone is now operating in the vicinity of the fire, hampering efforts. Our tankers and helicopters are unable to fly until the drone leaves the area
— CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_ButteCo) July 14, 2021
The DA’s office began the investigation into the drone last year, but then handed the investigation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI, he said, does not yet know who operated the drone.
According to federal law, a person who operates a drone and “knowingly or recklessly interferes” with wildfire suppression efforts can receive a civil penalty up to $20,000.
The Dixie Fire burned almost a million acres in five North State counties. It destroyed more than 1,300 structures — nearly 800 that were residential homes — and leveled much of Greenville and its surrounding communities.
