Cajon Pass, CA —For the last several brushfires that plagued this severely water parched area, claims were made that drone sightings delayed firefighting efforts. Like so many reports by conventional pilots there’s never a shred of independent evidence such as videos, photos or the drones themselves. The overblown and sensational claims of delayed response threatening lives and property are beyond outrageous. Let me say that everyone is aware that conventional firefighting aircraft must fly well below the minimum airspace altitude.   Camera drones could conceivably collide with conventional aircraft within nearby airspace.   That could be dangerous.   Drone operators don’t want their drones destroyed, nor do they want their drones to be responsible for any kind of mishap.   Drone technology is evolving faster than any wildfire and drones will soon replace conventional aircraft for these sometimes-risky firefighting missions. Are pilots making up the...

Florence, AZ —Phoenix television stations must be starving for news today.   They sent crews out to Anthem Elementary School in this not so nearby Phoenix suburb.   It is about a one-hour drive each way for TV news crews responding to this “important” story. Apparently a troubled 8 th grader there sent a text suggesting he did not want to live and put out a list of those he was unhappy with.   Without being specific the Florence police officials told reporters that they determined that the message was ambiguous and not a valid threat. I don’t suggest for a second that the matter should not be investigated.   It was, and there was no crime.   I’m sure this event deserved some legitimate concern for the depressed lad in question. Whoever called the media to this event was more dangerous than the kid.   More than that, the decision by assignment editors to make a news story out of this garbage is more troubling. Whoever called the media in on thi...