Drone spotted flying over fast-moving Max Fire in Stevenson Ranch

June 15, 2026 – A drone was spotted flying over the active Max Fire Monday afternoon, creating a potentially dangerous situation for firefighting aircraft as crews battled a fast-moving wildfire threatening homes in Stevenson Ranch. I observed the drone operating over a neighborhood threatened by the fire and immediately notified firefighters. Unauthorized drones in wildfire areas can force firefighting aircraft to be grounded, delaying critical water and retardant drops needed to slow the fire’s spread. The Max Fire was first reported at approximately 4:18 p.m. in the 25400 block of Magnolia Lane, in the Southern Oaks area of Stevenson Ranch. Within minutes, the fire spread through dry brush behind homes, sending large columns of smoke into the sky that were visible across much of the Santa Clarita Valley. Residents in the immediate area were ordered to evacuate as fire crews launched an aggressive attack on the blaze. Among those watching the fire approach was Stevenson Ranch resident Paul Schulz, who lives along the hillside near the fire’s path. “I noticed that the sky was turning yellow,” Schulz said. Asked what was running through his mind as smoke began filling the sky, Schulz replied, “My orange trees are going to burn.” Like many Southern California homeowners, Schulz said memories of recent destructive wildfires immediately came to mind as flames moved dangerously close to homes. “Oh, yeah,” he said when asked whether fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena crossed his mind. Schulz believes years of fire prevention work around his property may have helped protect his home. He said he has spent the last 16 years gradually clearing brush and creating defensible space around the hillside behind his residence. “I cleared 200 feet across the top of the hill there, so it wouldn’t come this way,” Schulz said. “And I think that actually kept it from coming down the hill.” He urged other homeowners to take annual fire department brush clearance notices seriously and prepare their properties before a wildfire threatens their neighborhood. “When I bought the house, I knew that there were fires in the area in 2003 that came right down the hillside,” Schulz said. “People should actually go and heed that notice and do something about it.” Asked what advice he would give neighbors who have not taken similar precautions, Schulz offered a simple answer: “Just look at your insurance rate. If that’s not convincing, I don’t know what is.” Multiple Los Angeles County Fire Department ground units responded along with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, which began making water and retardant drops to slow the fire’s advance toward homes. According to reports from the scene, the fire was burning in steep terrain directly behind residences, creating a significant threat to structures and prompting a large-scale response from firefighters. Additional resources were quickly requested as the incident escalated. Firefighters established structure protection around homes while air crews worked overhead to check the fire’s spread. Evacuation warnings and orders were issued for portions of Stevenson Ranch as authorities urged residents to leave immediately if directed to do so. For more breaking news, stories and shenanigans, subscribe and follow me! Instagram:   / austindave_   Facebook:   / austindave   Twitter:   / austindave_