A B.C. realtor charged with interfering in wildfire operations says he made a mistake by flying a drone over Okanagan Lake in 2023.
Derek Leippi of Kelowna launched the drone from his boat to photograph a burnt-out hotel, unaware that firefighters were still working in the area, 10 days after the McDougall Creek wildfire devastated the region and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Court records show the incident occurred on August 27, 2023.
Leippi says he immediately grounded the drone when instructed by police and cooperated fully by providing a statement.
Leippi says he did not intend to disrupt firefighting efforts and hopes to resolve the charge, though he has yet to consult with Crown prosecutors or hire a lawyer.
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