Federal authorities are calling after someone flew a drone into the wing of a firefighter carrying water to fight wildfires raging across Los Angeles, creating a “fist-sized hole” in the wing and rendering it out of service for several days. California State Police are investigating. important period.
A Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson told FOX News Digital that the incident occurred while a Quebec 1 Super Scooper plane, which had flown in from Canada to help, was working to extinguish the Palisades fire.
It was one of only two Super Scooper aircraft in use in Southern California at the time.
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A super scooper plane drops water on a fire in the Palisades, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Eric Scott, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman, said a civilian drone struck the wing around 1 p.m. Thursday.
“The pilots were unaware that they had hit the drone,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone said at a news conference Friday. “By the time it landed at Van Nuys Airport, maintenance staff noticed a fist-sized hole in the leading edge of the wing, inside the landing light.”
The FAA is investigating, and a spokesperson told Fox News Digital that interfering with firefighters is a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison and a $75,000 fine.
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Thursday, January 9, 2025 Planes are pumping water from the ocean to help extinguish the Palisades Fire burning in the mountains and prevent it from spreading further. The Palisades Fire ignited two days ago, devastating coastal areas of Los Angeles County. (Sandy Hooper/Imagun)
“The FAA takes these violations seriously and will immediately consider taking expedited enforcement actions in response to these violations,” the spokesperson said. “The FAA does not allow anyone not associated with Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones within TFR (Temporary Flight Restrictions).”
No injuries were reported. CalFire said it expects the plane to be back in the air by Monday.
Authorities are urging civilians not to fly drones near wildfires, as they could interfere with low-flying fire planes and delay emergency response. Pilot distraction can be fatal.
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Firefighters battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The longer the delay, the further the fire can spread.
The fire killed at least 10 people and destroyed more than 10,000 homes and businesses. The Palisades Fire is the largest of Southern California's wildfires, burning more than 20,000 acres and was only 8% contained as of Friday morning.
Firefighters battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Photo/Ethan Swope)
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More than 180,000 residents were ordered to evacuate earlier this week. Some were raised.
FOX News' Greg Norman contributed to this report.
