Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve officials warn - do not park your helicopter in super bloom fields

ANTELOPE VALLEY (KABC) — As Antelope Valley officials cope with an influx of visitors vying to view the super bloom, they're making one rule crystal clear: don't park your helicopter in the poppy fields.

The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve said on Facebook that a couple recently landed a helicopter in the middle of the fields and began hiking off trail.

"When our law enforcement staff attempted to contact the couple, they ran back to their helicopter and fled," the post stated.

Lancaster has become a new super bloom hot spot, and large crowds have been putting the poppies in danger.

Signs that say "Fragile area, stay on trail" are posted everywhere at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster.

While most obey the rules, sadly, a few don't.

Park rangers have been handing out tickets to violators disobeying laws by walking off trails, trampling the flowers and in some cases just lying in the poppies, crushing them while taking selfies.

If you harm a flower, you could be facing a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.

Story courtesy of ABC7.