Kelowna realtor fined $5,000 for flying drone in wildfire zone

A Kelowna realtor who flew a drone near the Okanagan Lake Resort after it had been destroyed by fire has been fined $5,000.

Today, March 23, at the Kelowna courthouse, BC Provincial Judge Cathie Heinrichs said the fine would deter others from flying drones in an active wildfire zone.

The incident dates back to 2023, after the McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through parts of West Kelowna and in its path destroyed the Okanagan Lake Resort.

Derek Leippi had used his boat to cross the lake and then began filming drone footage of the gutted hotel. A BC Conservation officer had asked him to move his boat, and a helicopter collecting water had tried to douse the drone on two occasions.

He’s said numerous times in court that he had no idea he was in an active wildfire zone, and there were no flames visible. He brought the drone in and moved the boat when asked.

He previously told iNFOnews.ca it was a “simple mistake.”

Crown prosecutors had wanted Leippi to pay a $15,000 fine and make a public apology. He’s the first person in Canada convicted under this section of the Wildfire Act.

Leippi argued he shouldn’t pay any fine and previously apologized to the court, saying he had no intent to interfere with the firefighting operation.

“It is unlikely that we will see Mr. Leippi back in court again for a similar offence, but we also do not want to see others in court for similarly violating the Forestry Act,” Judge Heinrichs said.

Leippi said he suffered from the media reporting of the story, and his business had been affected.

However, Judge Heinrichs said Leippi hadn’t provided any evidence of how it had affected his work as a realtor.

“I accept that having one’s name published in the media can have an impact on a person… but I do not know enough about the impact Mr. Leippi has suffered to give it significant weight,” the Judge said.  

The judge said $5,000 was more than a trifling amount.

“I think it will serve as a strong message to the public that anyone found to interfere with forest fighting efforts, even minimally, will face a significant consequence,” the judge said.

Leippi has one year to pay.