Drone slams into aircraft responding to Palisades Fire, FAA issues warning

Jan 10

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Correspondent), Kalé Carey (Reporter), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

Los Angeles firefighters are facing additional obstacles as they battle raging wildfires. Drones are now complicating efforts to contain the blazes. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning after a drone crashed into a firefighting aircraft over the Palisades Fire on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Bias Distribution Powered by Ground News™

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the aircraft, a Super Scooper plane used to drop water on the flames, landed safely despite sustaining damage to its wing. The plane is now out of service for repairs and pending an investigation.

Federal officials warn drones in the airspace are putting lives at risk and hindering firefighting operations.

“Your photos and video footage of the wildfires are not worth the lives and crucial operations they jeopardize,” the FAA’s website reads.

The FAA implemented temporary flight restrictions around wildfire zones, making it illegal to fly drones near active fires. The agency is investigating the unauthorized flight and has urged drone pilots to respect the safety of first responders.

The FAA stressed interfering with firefighting efforts is a federal crime. Those found in violation of the restrictions could face fines up to $75,000 and up to 12 months in prison.

The ongoing fires in Southern California have already posed significant challenges for firefighters, with dry hydrants, blocked roadways, and the intense winds. The addition of drones in the skies is adding further strain to the firefighting response.

Tags: California, Drones, Federal Aviation Administration, Los Angeles, Wildfire

[Kennedy Felton]

FROM HYDRANTS RUNNING DRY TO CARS BLOCKING ROADWAYS, LOS ANGELES FIREFIGHTERS ARE FACING A MULTITUDE OF CHALLENGES AS THEY WORK TO CONTAIN RAGING WILDFIRES.

BUT NOW, A NEW PROBLEM IS COMPLICATING THEIR EFFORTS—DRONES.

THE FAA SAYS DRONES FLOWN BY CIVILIANS ARE ADDING TO THE STRUGGLE, WITH THE AGENCY WARNING: IF YOU FLY, FIRST RESPONDERS CAN’T

IN THE DAYS SINCE THE BLAZES SPREAD THROUGH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA…CREWS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO DUMP WATER OVER THE SCORCHING ACRES USING AIRCRAFTS.

THURSDAY A DRONE CRASHED INTO A FIREFIGHTING AIRCRAFT OVER THE PALISADES FIRE.

THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE PLANE, ‘A SUPER SCOOPER’, LANDED SAFELY BUT ITS WING WAS DAMAGED IN THE COLLISION PUTTING IT OUT OF SERVICE.

RESULTING IN A REMINDER TO DRONE PILOTS: “Your photos and video footage of the wildfires are not worth the lives and crucial operations they jeopardize.”

THE FEDERAL AGENCY PUT TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE TO GIVE FIREFIGHTERS FULL RANGE OF THE AIRSPACE…MAKING IT ILLEGALY TO FLY NEAR WIDLFIRES.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE NOW INVESTIGATING WHO WAS BEHIND THE UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT.

THE FAA REMINDS THE PUBLIC ITS A FEDERAL CRIME TO INTERFERE WITH FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES.

VIOLATORS CAN FACE A PENALTY UP TO 75 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND UP TO 12 MONTHS IN PRISON.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KENNEDY FELTON.