Whittier police say a quick drone deployment led officers straight to a man suspected of sparking a small brush fire along the 7700 block of Colima Road on Wednesday afternoon. Dispatchers reported smoke around 4:45 p.m. on May 27, and officers launched aerial drones that homed in on both the flames and a person in a nearby encampment. According to police, that individual was detained at the scene and taken into custody on suspicion of starting the fire.
In a Facebook update, the Whittier Police Department said dispatchers alerted officers to smoke from a possible brush fire, prompting them to send drones overhead to track the source. Drone operators then spotted a male subject near the fire, who was detained and later arrested on suspicion of igniting it. The post notes that officers also guided Los Angeles County Fire Department crews to the exact location so firefighters could handle suppression and secure the area. Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call Whittier PD Dispatch at (562) 567-9240 for non‑emergency tips, according to Whittier Police Department.
How crews responded
Police say they directed county fire personnel to the spot so firefighters could quickly knock down the blaze and make sure the surrounding area stayed safe. Recent daily fire‑weather briefings from the Los Angeles County Fire Department have shown the Whittier Hills and nearby zones carrying elevated burn indices this spring, a reminder of how fast even modest vegetation fires can take off in dry conditions. Those outlooks highlight why fast detection and immediate suppression remain critical along the Colima Road corridor, where roadside brush can carry flames toward nearby slopes and structures.
Drones and new rules
Officers’ decision to send drones toward the smoke and a nearby person shows how law enforcement technology can tighten response times and cut down on risk for firefighters heading into uncertain terrain. At the same time, state lawmakers have been moving to narrow how unmanned aircraft can be used around emergencies. Assembly Bill 1749 would prohibit operating a drone in a way that knowingly or recklessly interferes with wildfire suppression or emergency response and would authorize civil penalties for violators. The bill text and a legislative summary are available on the California Legislature’s website.
What police say and what to do
The department’s public update did not release the arrested person’s name, did not spell out any formal charges, and did not report injuries or major property damage. Whittier Police again urged anyone with information to contact Whittier PD Dispatch at (562) 567‑9240 for non‑emergency tips, according to Whittier Police Department. Investigators may share additional information as the case continues to develop.
