Cal Fire asks people to stop flying drones over fires because it delays their firefighting

Cal Fire officials have publicly asked people to stop flying drones over fires, which they say severely impact their ability to do their jobs. 

While crews continue to battle a trio of devastating fires, which have torched more than 100,000 acres and more than 100 homes, they took to social media to ask the public to stop flying drones into restricted airspace — of which they've seen record numbers in recent weeks.

"Every time one is spotted it stops work for the helicopters at least about an hour until we can locate, make sure the air is clear," said Doug Ross, Cal Fire aviation officer during a video from the department. "Really cuts into the firefight."

In the Line Fire, which has so far consumed more than 39,000 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains, officials say that they've so far had to ground firefighting aircraft on several occasions because of people flying drones into the sky above the blaze. 

They say that interference from the drones at one point grounded all of their aircraft at an extremely crucial moment, which nearly allowed the flames to continue into Big Bear. 

"Please let our firefighters do their job and fly their aircraft without flying your drones in the area," said San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Carrie Kloss. 

On Tuesday, the suspected arsonist who sparked the blaze pleaded not guilty to nine charges.