Key takeaways:

• A drone collision with a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft grounded operations in Los Angeles.
• The incident occurred during the Palisades Fire, which has scorched nearly 20,000 acres.
• The FAA is investigating, reminding the public that flying drones near wildfires is a federal crime.
• Violators could face civil penalties up to $75,000 and possible imprisonment for interfering with firefighting efforts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a serious incident where a drone collided with a Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft, known as a Super Scooper, over the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles. On Thursday afternoon, the Super Scooper sustained damage after hitting the drone while responding to the wildfire that has now burned nearly 20,000 acres and is only 6% contained, according to reports from USA Today.

LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that “it put a hole in the wing” of the aircraft, which has since been grounded. This incident has drawn attention from the FAA, which emphasized that it is illegal to fly drones in such areas and that this action poses a significant risk to firefighting operations, potentially delaying responses and allowing wildfires to spread more rapidly.

According to the FAA, it is a federal crime to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands, punishable by up to 12 months in prison and civil penalties reaching $75,000. As a result of the drone collision, the FAA has instituted temporary flight restrictions over the fire zones to enhance safety for the firefighting crews and their aircraft. Additionally, aerial and satellite imagery has been utilized to monitor fire activity and damages caused by the blazes, prompting further investigations into possible drone operators, as speculated online.

The quickly evolving wildfires in California serve as a reminder of the crucial need for heightened vigilance and regulations around drone usage during such emergencies. Firefighters are urging the public to respect these regulations to prevent dangerous delays in wildfire response operations. For complete coverage of the Los Angeles wildfires, visit Business Insider.