Centerville bans drone flights near Americana Festival fireworks

The city of Centerville has received a temporary flight restriction from the FAA that will prohibit the flight of drones and other aircraft under 5000 feet near the launch site for the Americana Festival fireworks July 3, officials announced.

"Low flying aircraft including drones create a significant risk to the safe operations of the fireworks displays during this event,” Centerville police said in a prepared statement

The restriction prohibits the flight of aircraft within a 0.25 nautical mile of Centerville High School, which is the site for the fireworks.

Several area agencies have said they don’t have any special drone restrictions currently in place for fireworks over the Independence Day holiday weekend, including Englewood, Fairborn, Springboro, Clark County and Moraine.

The restriction is in place from 5 p.m. until midnight on July 3.

The Americana Festival Fireworks are scheduled to be launched at 10 p.m.

Centerville police said anyone found violating the restriction could face federal prosecution.

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