The FBI has launched an investigation after a privately-operated drone collided with and damaged a firefighting super scooper aircraft battling the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, temporarily hampering critical firefighting efforts.
The collision left a 3x6 inch hole in the aircraft's left wing, forcing the plane to suspend operations for 20-30 minutes during active firefighting. The damaged super scooper was one of only two such specialized aircraft available to combat the blaze.
"Using super scooper aircraft is our most effective technique to fight fires like this, and when this happens, it puts everybody's lives at risk," said Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.
The pilots were unaware of the drone strike until maintenance staff at Van Nuys Airport discovered the damage during inspection. FBI officials have recovered parts of the heavily damaged drone and are working to identify its operator.
The incident occurred despite active Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting unauthorized aircraft, including drones, from operating in the fire zone. California officials report at least 40 incidents of unauthorized drones disrupting firefighting operations since the wildfires began.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned drone operators of severe consequences: "If you send a drone up in these restricted areas...you will be arrested, prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law."
The FAA emphasizes that interfering with firefighting aircraft is a federal crime, regardless of whether TFRs are in place. Unauthorized drone flights near wildfires force firefighting aircraft to ground operations, potentially allowing fires to spread and putting ground crews and communities at greater risk.
Anyone with information about the drone operator is urged to contact the FBI's Los Angeles office. The public can report unauthorized drone activity near wildfires through the FAA hotline.
The Palisades Fire has already consumed over 23,000 acres in western Los Angeles County, with firefighting efforts continuing.