---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 46320"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "46320"
heading: "Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/46320"
units:
  - "Subtitle VII — Aviation Programs"
  - "Part A — Air Commerce and Safety"
  - "Subpart iv — enforcement and penalties"
  - "Chapter 463 — Penalties"
---

# §46320. Interference with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort by operation of unmanned aircraft

- (a) **In General.—** Except as provided in [subsection (b)](#b), an individual who operates an [unmanned aircraft](/usc/49/44801.md?p=11) and in so doing knowingly or recklessly interferes with a wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response effort is liable to the [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) Government for a civil penalty of not more than $20,000.
- (b) **Exceptions.—** This section does not apply to the operation of an [unmanned aircraft](/usc/49/44801.md?p=11) conducted by a unit or agency of the [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) Government or of a State, tribal, or local government (including any individual conducting such operation pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the unit or agency) for the purpose of protecting the public safety and welfare, including firefighting, law enforcement, or emergency response.
- (c) **Compromise and Setoff.—**
  - (1) **Compromise.—** The [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) Government may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this section.
  - (2) **Setoff.—** The [United States](/usc/49/40102.md?p=a-46) Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this section from the amounts the Government owes the person liable for the penalty.
- (d) **Definitions.—** In this section, the following definitions apply:
  - (1) **Wildfire.—** The term “wildfire” has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act ([42 U.S.C. 1856m](/usc/42/1856m.md)).
  - (2) **Wildfire suppression.—** The term “wildfire suppression” means an effort to contain, extinguish, or suppress a wildfire.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 114–190, title II, § 2205(a), July 15, 2016, 130 Stat. 630.)