Drone forces firefighting aircraft at Goodwin Fire to land; Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office investigating
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAAnimal Shelter for Goodwin Fire | 1:16
Volunteers from Animal Disaster Services care for displaced animals at Bradshaw Mountain High School Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in Prescott Valley, Ariz. the animals were displaced due to the Goodwin Fire. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONADenny Foulk, Yavapai County Emergency Manager discuss state of emergency at Goodwin Fire | 2:01
Denny Foulk, Yavapai County Emergency Manager discusses state of emergency at Goodwin Fire effecting the community of Mayer, Poland Junction and Blue Hills, burning 14 miles south of Prescott. By Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAAir tanker makes a drop on Goodwin Fire | 0:26
An air tanker makes a drop along SR 69 near Mayer on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. SR 69 was still closed between I-17 at Cordes Junction and SR 169 near Prescott Valley. Arizona Department of Transportation
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAFire retardant drops on Goodwin Fire | 0:09
Fire retardant is dropped onto the Goodwin Fire on Tuesday, June 24, 2017. The fire had grown to 21,000 acres and burned at least some structures in its widening path, officials said early Tuesday. Arizona State Forestry.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAView Goodwin Fire from an airplane | 0:00
The Goodwin Fire south of Prescott seen from an airplane on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. Spencer Dennis/Special to The Republic
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONATime-lapse view of the Goodwin Fire burning near Prescott | 0:23
TIME-LAPSE VIDEO: The Goodwin Fire has burned more than 20,000 acres and is 1 percent contained as of June 28, 2017. Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAArizona fire grows, more evacuations possible | 1:07
More residents are preparing for possible evacuations as a wildfire in northern Arizona continues to grow. (June 28) AP
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire, June 28, 2017 morning press briefing | 2:47
John Pierson, Southwest Incident Commander, holds a press briefing about the Goodwin Fire, which has burned over 20,000 acres near Prescott, forced evacuations in Mayer, Arizona, and crossed State Route 69, on June 28, 2017.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAScenes from the Goodwin Fire in Arizona | 1:25
The Goodwin Fire in northern Arizona grew to more than 20,000 acres on Wednesday morning. Here are scenes from the fire you should see. Wochit
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAFire crews battle the Goodwin Fire | 0:18
Firefighters battle “volatile and explosive” fuels as they try to contain the Goodwin Fire. Arizona State Forestry
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire forces evacuation of Mayer | 0:53
Mayer was evacuated June 27, 2017, as the Goodwin Fire came dangerously close. Resident Eveline Sandy talks while packing up her truck to leave, not knowing where to go. Tom Tingle/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire helicopter attack | 0:53
Helicopters drop flame retardant in Mayer as the Goodwin Fire approaches and the town is evacuated. Tom Tingle/azcentral.com
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire forces evacuations | 0:36
As the Goodwin Fire continues to grow, more and more residents are being forced to evacuate.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAGoodwin Fire | 0:09
Azcentral.com reader Jennifer Johnson recorded this video of the Goodwin Fire as she was leaving Prescott Valley on June 27, 2017.
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAWatch fire crews drop retardant on the Goodwin Fire | 0:14
The Goodwin Fire is burning 14 miles south of Prescott and south of the community of Mayer. Scott Craven/The Republic
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GOODWIN FIRE BURNS IN ARIZONAHow to prepare your family for wildfire season | 1:03
Here are some tips to keep your family and home safe during wildfire season. Paige Schwahn/USA Today Network Wochit
Denny Foulk, Yavapai County Emergency Manager discuss state of emergency at Goodwin Fire
Air tanker makes a drop on Goodwin Fire
Fire retardant drops on Goodwin Fire
View Goodwin Fire from an airplane
Time-lapse view of the Goodwin Fire burning near Prescott
Arizona fire grows, more evacuations possible
Goodwin Fire, June 28, 2017 morning press briefing
Scenes from the Goodwin Fire in Arizona
Fire crews battle the Goodwin Fire
Goodwin Fire forces evacuation of Mayer
Goodwin Fire helicopter attack
Goodwin Fire forces evacuations
Goodwin Fire
Watch fire crews drop retardant on the Goodwin Fire
How to prepare your family for wildfire season
A drone flying near Prescott on Wednesday caused all firefighting aircraft battling the Goodwin Fire to be grounded sooner than they normally would have, officials said.
The drone was spotted in the sky near the fire just before 7 p.m., said Gabrielle Kenton, a spokeswoman for the fire’s incident-management team.
A no-fly zone had been ordered in the area, which includes small commercial flights and unmanned aircraft such as drones, which can record video or take pictures of the terrain below.
“I know people want to be able to see what the situation is, particularly people who have homes in the area,” Kenton said. “But if drones are flying, we shut down air operations because it’s just too dangerous with the fire and the smoke.”
The aircraft fighting the fire typically stop operations around sunset, so the aircraft would not have remained up much longer, but still, the work was forced to stop sooner than expected, she said.
Kenton said there could have been even more serious consequences if the drone had been spotted earlier in the day and shut down air firefighting efforts for a longer stretch of time.
“Had it occurred earlier this morning when the fire was really roaring, it might have had more of an impact. But it’s hard to say what might have happened and what did happen,” Kenton said. “I don’t think it’ll cause a serious problem now — I hope.”
There were six helicopters and two air attack planes working on combating the fire that were grounded, Kenton said.
It’s unclear when the aircraft will begin operations again, with Kenton adding that officials haven’t confirmed whether the drone is still in the air.
Kenton said the danger of drones is that pilots have low visibility in the fire area because of the smoke and flames, and are less likely to spot a drone and prevent a collision.
“If they know there might be a drone and they can’t see it, then they’re going to have to get out of the area,” Kenton said.
Under Arizona law, flying a drone or other unmanned aircraft in a no-fly zone is a class 6 felony on the first offense, with more severe penalty for repeat offenders.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the drone’s origin, Kenton said.