‘There is no photo worth someone’s life’: Fire officials asking people to ground drones after several fly over Provo fire
Aug 22, 2025, 4:12 PM | Updated: 5:08 pm
The Buckley Draw Fire on Wednesday. (Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest)
(Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest)
SALT LAKE CITY — After seven drones in individual instances were flown over a fire in Provo, the U.S. Forest Service is asking people not to fly drones over fires.
In a news release provided by the U.S. Forest Service, fire officials said one drone flew over the Buckley Draw Fire on Thursday, marking the seventh time this has happened around that fire alone.
“There was a seventh drone intrusion during (Thursday’s) shift,” the news release stated. “This continued illegal activity is endangering firefighters’ and pilots’ lives. A drone detection device has become available to assist fire managers in their efforts to catch these drone users.”
The forest service talked about how law enforcement is actively looking for those who fly drones over the Buckley Draw Fire.
“This matter is of the utmost importance to the Northern Utah Incident Management Team, to protect our firefighters both on the ground and in the air,” the forest service said. “Our team is here working tirelessly to save homes, the local forest and trails, and your communities. Please help us keep our firefighters safe. There is no photo worth someone’s life.”
As of Friday afternoon, investigators are still looking into what caused the Buckley Draw Fire to start.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” the news release stated. “Fire Investigators hiked into the point of origin, and completed a thorough examination of the area. No determination of cause has been made at this time.”
According to the forest service, the Buckley Draw Fire has remained at 446 acres with 21% containment since Wednesday.
Buckley Draw Fire closures
As of Friday, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest had closures in places due to the fire.
“This applies to area roads, trails, trailheads, parking areas, and recreation sites shown within the perimeter of the (map located below). Firefighters are seeing a lot of public hiking up into the area, especially on Slate Creek, the Y trail, and the Kyhv Peak Road to Pole Haven,” the forest service said. “Please refer to the closure and respect the closures to prevent endangering the public and firefighters.”
A map showing closures in place for the Buckley Draw Fire. (U.S. Forest Service)
Related: Buckley Draw Fire’s west edge is contained, but fire still spreading east
