Here in 2025, civilian drone technology is amazing. Photographers and videographers alike are now able to get some truly unbelievable shots that they couldn't before. Even indie filmmakers are able to capture footage that would've required complicated, expensive helicopter setups in the past, and thus solely been in the domain of major Hollywood productions with the kind of deep pockets to accommodate that complexity.
Drone operators are all over powersports as well, of course; at all levels. From the deeply impressive drone piloting skills you can see in epic pro freestyle MX footage, to previously unseen views of the world from the saddle of round-the-world moto traveler Itchy Boots' bikes, they're clearly two great tastes that taste great together. Although video footage of all types can rarely capture the true scale and grandeur of nature, drones are an important tool in the toolbox for both amateurs and pros alike.
That's the good side of drones and of drone operators. But unfortunately, some folks are being incredibly dumb in trying to capture footage of the wildfires that are currently ravaging Los Angeles.
And now, some completely thoughtless idiot had their civilian drone collide with an aircraft that was actively fighting the Palisades Fire on Thursday. This, after the US Federal Aviation Administration had issued a temporary flight restriction to airspace over the affected areas, which makes flying drones not only ethically dubious but also a federal crime punishable by fines and possible prison time.
