Flying near controlled fires

[Mousehunter]

Not considering flyng near forest fires or accidents. But in S. Texas, burning brush piles is generally legal and oil field flares are a fact of life. Any idea how much fires need to be avoided? I would hate to melt my drone in an unplanned RTH. My primary flight sight is roughly 1/2 sq mile and has dozens of brush piles and 2 flares on it. I have no doubt I will be flying within 100 yards of flares fairly frequently.

 

[Dbez1]

I’ve been reasonably close to some pretty hot fires in my life and my guess is that 100 yards should be plenty safe unless there are extenuating circumstances. I personally wouldn’t press my luck though if it can be avoided. You might want to be careful about smoke on the camera lens. Best wishes.

 

[drone_video]

You will also have to worry about wind. As the hot air rises above the fire it will suck in cold air and create a wind. Depends on how hot the fire is but that wind can be pretty fast.

Second thing is hot air is thinner and could mess with height the drone flys at. I believe moist of the DJI models use a barometer sensor which could be impacted

Bottom line be carful. Don’t take anything for granted.

Burning a grass field you lily don’t have to worry too much about this. But be be aware just in case.