THE DANGERS OF DRONES

Rogue drone blocks firefighter helicopters battling Arizona wildfire, officials say

The unmanned aircraft was spotted on the southeast end of the blaze, forcing firefighters’ helicopter operations — which drop water and flame retardant to suppress fires — to retreat and move to another spot “where flights could safely resume,” Coconino National Forest officials said.

“Regardless of your motivation, flying a drone near a wildland fire is putting someone else’s life in danger,” authorities said. “Your hobby is not worth another person’s life.

”Nearly 700 firefighters are battling the Museum Fire, which started a mile north of Flagstaff on July 21 and has spread to about 1,927 acres, state authorities said in a Thursday morning update. It’s only 12 percent contained, and the cause is still under investigation.