Helicopter fighting Eden Fire forced to land due to drone

A wildfire burned through vegetation in Saratoga Monday afternoon, sending a dense cloud of smoke over the city. A wildfire burned through vegetation in Saratoga Monday afternoon, sending a dense cloud of smoke over the city. Photo: Courtesy KTVU Photo: Courtesy KTVU Image 1 of / 40 Caption Close Helicopter fighting Eden Fire forced to land due to drone 1 / 40 Back to Gallery

A helicopter fighting a blaze burning in Saratoga near the Mountain Winery was forced to ground when a drone entered the area Monday.

"The helicopter had to be waived off due to fear of a collision and then subsequently grounded," said Ryan Cronin, the chief fire investigator with the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Cronin added that the department confiscated the drone, and the incident is under investigation.

The Eden Fire was first reported at 3:10 p.m. Monday and has burned a total of 10 acres. It's currently 75 percent contained.

"It really stopped last night at 10 acres," Cronin said. "It's not spreading. It's not getting any bigger, but it's not put out entirely."

Moving across the steep slopes in the grassy hills behind downtown Saratoga, the fire created a dramatic scene — the sort that attracts onlookers who take photos and video.

Cronin believes the drone flying Monday was capturing video footage, and says that in recent years these devices have become a problem for fire fighters.

"We're trying to get the message out, 'If you fly, we can't,'" Cronin says. "We're trying to get citizens aware that while drones are fun, many people who fly them aren't licensed. It's an aviation device and it grounds our helicopters."