Do not fly drones near Wildfire areas

Officials are warning folks to never fly drones over wildfire areas.

Two drones recently got too close to the Ross Fork Fire in Idaho’s Sawtooth mountains.

CBS 2 News reports one drone nearly crashed into one of the firefighting helicopters, forcing it to land.

Crews say the downtime could mean life or death — especially since the helicopters are needed if a firefighter gets hurt.

Flying a drone or other aircraft that interferes with firefighting efforts on public lands is a federal crime — punishable by up to a year in prison.