Police are searching for the person responsible for flying a drone during a bushfire emergency.

The device was spotted in Lancelin on Wednesday, forcing all aerial water support to be grounded for almost an hour. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings he understands why people would use drones to monitor their properties, but the public needed to understand how much it impedes firefighting procedures.

“It could be the difference between a fire being contained or it getting further out of control; the fact the drone was in the air for 55 minutes meant that one large air tanker drop couldn’t take place,” Mr Dawson said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the drone incident, and what punishments are in place for similar activity