Jenny and Kevin VanderHooft face potential charges for flying a drone and ignoring evacuation orders during northwestern Ontario wildfires in July 2024 [1].
The incident highlights the legal tension between property owners attempting to protect their livelihoods and government safety protocols during natural disasters. While the couple sought to save their business, authorities maintain that such actions jeopardize emergency operations.
The couple owns Open Bay Lodge, located near Upsala in northwestern Ontario [1]. According to reports, they returned to the property after an evacuation order was issued and operated a drone over the active fire zone [1].
Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources said operating a drone in an active fire zone is illegal and puts the safety of crews at risk [1]. The ministry said that breaching evacuation orders endangers both firefighters, and the general public [1].
"I was just trying to protect my property, and I didn’t realize I was breaking the law," Jenny VanderHooft said [1].
Kevin VanderHooft said the couple was told they could be fined thousands of dollars for their attempts to save the lodge [1]. Specific reports indicate the potential fines could reach up to $5,000 per offence [2].
The charges stem from the 2024 wildfire season, with the legal disputes surfacing around July 12, 2024 [2]. The lodge owners had sought to monitor the fire's progress and protect their assets as the blaze approached their property [1].
“"I was just trying to protect my property, and I didn’t realize I was breaking the law."”
This case underscores the strict enforcement of airspace and evacuation regulations during environmental crises. By penalizing property owners, the province reinforces the priority of crew safety over private asset protection, signaling that the use of consumer technology like drones can be viewed as a liability rather than a tool during active firefighting operations.
