Flying in natl forest around a fire lookout ?

[pinzmann]

So I was watching a YouTube video, off-roader in a national forest. He does a lot of drone shots in his videos. He was at a location called high point in the Palomar mountains. There’s a lookout tower there. He wanted to fly his drone in the area. The Rangers said no because the area is ‘Federal’. I checked that area on air control and the apps and no restrictions shown.
Were the rangers b-s ing him? Yes, I know discretion is the better part of valor but could he have pressed his point?
Personally I think they just didn’t want him to fly.

 

[Vic Moss]

The only time you're not allowed to fly from National Forest Lands is when they are "Designated Wilderness Areas". There are also times when TFRs are in place, or an area may be close due to nesting seasons.

Other than that, it's legal. Just because something is "Federal", doesn't mean it's closed to drones.

Can you post a link to the video?

 

[Cafguy]

Most of the land in California is National park land. We pretty much live in a park lol. Most of the other places and this is only during "fire season" get designated as wilderness areas to keep the fire dangers down.
Palomar is such a place, and also because of the observatory, is off limits to drones. Not because its federal! Its a State Park, with a preserve.

 

[pinzmann]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Hers the link to his video. He is in Cleveland national forest. Pretty Sure you can fly there. He does a lot of drone videos on his channel mostly off roading.
Most of the land around me is BLM, except of course Joshua Tree national park.

 

[Cafguy]

The State parks let you fly BUT the ones with trees or a beach are pretty much a no go!

 

[Cafguy]

He is in Cleveland national forest. Pretty Sure you can fly there. He does a lot of drone videos on his channel mostly off roading.

If his videos are monetized he has to let the park service know his drone flight is for a commercial purpose and detail that to them. Recreational flights are fine unless posted. Part 107 flights are another thing.