49 U.S.C. § 46320 — Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft

(a) In General. Except as (b) provides, an individual who operates an unmanned aircraft and, in doing so, knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort, is liable to the government for a civil penalty of up to $20,000. (b) Exceptions. This section does not apply to a drone operation run by a unit or agency of the U.S. government, or of a state, tribal, or local government — including someone acting under a contract with that unit or agency — for protecting public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response. (c) Compromise and Setoff. (1) The government may lower this penalty. (2) The government may subtract the penalty — whether full or lowered — from money it owes that person. (d) Definitions. (1) "Wildfire" has the meaning given in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act. This section does not further define the term itself. (2) "Wildfire suppression" means an effort to contain, put out, or hold back a wildfire.