Two ticketed $1,025 each for flying drones near killer whales off San Juan Island

SAN JUAN ISLAND, Wash. -- Two people who flew drones too close to orcas near San Juan Island were each given $1,025 tickets, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said Wednesday.

Both incidents occurred on Aug. 18, said DFW Sgt. Russ Mullins said.

DFW officers were on patrol in the area when they spotted a drone pilot flying the device about 10 yards above the killer whales. State law says nothing can come within 200 yards of an orca because they are federally protected.

The second incident happened about an hour after the first case, Mullins said.

Both drone pilots were cooperative and cited $1,025 each for the violation, he added.