‘If you fly, they can’t’: Officials ask public to not use drones near Custer County wildfires

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department is asking people to refrain from using drones as crews battle wildfires in Custer County.

In a press release Thursday, the agency said multiple aircraft are operating in the area and “it’s critical” that the pilots do not have to worry about drones in the air.

Officials said drones can delay operations, endanger pilots and “jeopardize” firefighting efforts.

“If you fly, they can’t. Please help us keep the skies safe,” the fire department said.

Firefighters from across the state are battling three wildfires in Custer County: the East Table Road Fire, the Lillian Fire and the Eureka Valley Fire.

As of Wednesday night, the wildfires had burned about 4,000 acres, according to the Nebraska Forest Service.