A firefighting aircraft dumping water on the Palisades Fire was damaged by a privately owned drone that was not authorized to be flying in the area, officials said.
Photos released by the FBI showed the drone put a 3×6 hole in the aircraft, with the damage causing about a 30-minute delay in the aerial firefight, ABC 7 reported.
“I’d just like to stress, that technique, using that super scooper aircraft, are our most effective technique to fight fires like this, and when this happens, it puts everybody’s lives at risk,” said Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
The firefighting aircraft dip into the water before dumping its contents over the wildfires, prompting California officials to plead with the public against flying drones over the areas affected by wildfires.
“Our biggest concern is that there are so many unauthorized drones in the area that they are impacting law enforcement and firefighters’ efforts to suppress this fire and actually get it contained,” said Davis.
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Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) have been issued in the airspace above the Palisades and Eaton fires, and apply to all aircraft, including drones.
Despite the restrictions, videos taken by drones showcasing devastated Los Angeles neighborhoods have been popping up across social media.
“We’ll work backward through investigative means to try and recreate that drone and figure out what company owns that drone and who it was assigned to,” said Davis.
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