British Columbia wildfire officials are reminding the public that flying drones near fires can be dangerous and costly.

Fire information officer Amanda Reynolds said the BC Wildfire Service received two reports of unmanned aerial vehicles near wildfires on Friday.

She says crews saw some people getting ready to launch a drone near the Beatton Airport Road fire, burning 45 kilometres north of Fort St. John, but when they were approached, the people got in their vehicle and drove away.

Crews also received a report about a drone flying above the Alberta portion of the Siphon Creek fire, which B.C. crews are continuing to fight in a bid to relieve pressure on their Alberta counterparts.

An unauthorized drone flying near last summer’s fire near Oliver grounded eight helicopters and five planes for more than three hours, hampering firefighting efforts.

Federal regulations ban the use of drones near wildfires, and violators can face penalties of up to $25,000 and 18 months in jail.