The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said drones posed a risk to firefighting aircraft due to potential collision.

Also, aerial firefighting can be suspended until drones are located, meaning bushfires may not be effectively controlled.

Ballarat Radio Model Flying Club secretary Jeff Dowsley said the rules were important to protect the safety of pilots on bushfire patrol and said a collision could potentially bring down a firefighting aircraft.

Mr Dowsley said perpetrators were likely to be sole operators rather than club flyers or users of expensive agricultural surveyors, which were likely to be damaged in bushfires.