A drone has been spotted over bushfires in the state’s south.
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The use of drones poses a serious risk to the bushfiring efforts and safety of the pilots, Tasmania Police said.
The drone was reported to be seen along Arve Road, Geeveston.
Police are urging operators to be mindful of emergency operations currently happening around Tasmania.
“Firefighting operations rely heavily on the use of helicopters and other aircraft and any use of drones in the vicinity presents a risk to manned aviation,” police said in a statement.
“Water bombing aircraft need to fly at low altitudes, a task made more difficult with the added risk of a drone strike.
“Essentially, if you fly a drone they can’t fly at all.”
There are rules relating to the operation of drones including when using the devices during emergency operations.
Operators can be prosecuted if caught.
The rules state that drones cannot be operated if it creates a hazard to another aircraft, person or property.
Drones cannot be operated within a 5.5 kilometre of an airport or helicopter landing site.
Police said during emergencies, like the bushfires, many landing sites are temporary and the rules can be breached due to negligence of the drone operators.