Southern California’s wildfires have been raging since January 7th, as 80 mph winds morph them into devastating firestorms.

L.A. County Fire Department has deployed firefighting aircraft as part of the effort to contain the flames. Two of these are Super Scoopers provided by the government of Quebec. They glide over water bodies and scoop up 1,600 gallons in seconds – way more effective than helicopters.

However, last week one rogue drone threw a wrench into the works.

An unauthorized DJI Mini drone crashed into one of the Super Scoopers near Malibu, causing the aircraft to be grounded.

Now, the FBI is on the case, launching a federal investigation to track down the drone operator responsible.

LA Wildfire One Week Update

Fires across the Los Angeles area have devastated the region, with at least 24 fatalities, over 12,000 structures destroyed, and more than 60 square miles scorched as of 14th January.

Here’s the latest on the Palisades and Eaton fires, as well as the broader situation in Los Angeles nearly a week into this crisis:

  • Palisades Fire: The largest blaze has consumed 23,713 acres and remains only 14% contained.
  • Eaton Fire: Covering 14,117 acres, this fire is 33% contained.
  • Weather Conditions: Santa Ana winds, which fueled the fires’ rapid spread, expected to persist through Wednesday evening. A red flag warning remains in effect for all of Los Angeles County.
    Wind speeds are predicted to ease after Wednesday thoough, bringing more moderate conditions that could aid firefighting efforts.
  • Ground Crews: Increased manpower on the ground helping to quickly deal with flare-ups .
  • Evacuations and Curfews: Approximately 92,000 residents are under evacuation orders. A curfew is in place for the Palisades and Eaton fire zones from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., enforced by the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
  • Arrests: The LA County District Attorney announced that 10 individuals have been arrested on charges of looting and arson, as more chaos hits local communities.

Amidst all this, we can’t have reckless drones being flown all over.

What Happened: DJI Mini Drone crashes into Super Scooper

A Canadian CL-415 Super Scooper, one of only two available for combating the Palisades Fire, was damaged when it collided with a privately owned drone on Thursday. The drone struck the aircraft’s wing, leaving a 3-by-6-inch hole.

The collision forced the aircraft to land at Van Nuys Airport for repairs, grounding it until at least Monday. The delay caused by this incident stalled aerial firefighting operations for 20 to 30 minutes. Emergency responders simply cannot afford to lose such time when dealing with a fast-moving wildfire.

The Super Scoopers are some of our most effective tools to suppress fires. When incidents like this happen, lives are put at risk, and resources are wasted – a fact emphasized by Assistant Director Akil Davis of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

The FBI has released photos of the damaged aircraft and remnants of the drone as they intensify efforts to locate the UAS pilot.

Why Drones Pose a Major Threat to Wildfire Containment

Flying drones near wildfires is illegal. And just reckless. That’s why the FAA sets up Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) during emergencies, to avoid such incidents.

But you’ll still find drones breaching these zones. Why? Probably someone wants footage of the burnt regions for their media station, vlog or TikTok. And when they do, they create massive risks for firefighting aircraft and personnel.

Every time a drone shows up, every single firefighting plane and helicopter has to evacuated from that area till the situation is resolved. No exceptions. While this this rule protects lives and equipment, every delay, no matter how brief, derails the firefighting efforts.

And should one of these planes should go down, it would be disastrous for both the crew and the communities they’re trying to protect. 

Legal Consequences for Drone Pilots

Violating TFRs is a federal crime.  If you’re caught, you could face steep fines or even jail time. Intent doesn’t matter. As long as your drone interferes with firefighting aircraft, you’re responsible.

The FBI and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office are now warning drone operators of what will befall them in case of such incidents.

“You will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

The Investigation: Tracing the Rogue Drone Pilot

The FBI has recovered parts of the DJI Mini drone from the collision and is now working to track down its owner. They’re using forensic tools to dig into details like the drone’s serial number, flight logs, and any other identifiable data.

Ground intercept teams are also on the move, patrolling wildfire zones to catch other unauthorized drone pilots in the act. They’ve handed out plenty of warnings and hefty fines over the years, but drones keep popping up, making things even tougher for emergency crews.

FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire

FAA Drone Regulations and Public Responsibility

There are strict rules governing drone operations. Drones must remain within the operator’s line of sight, avoid flying above 400 feet, and stay at least five miles away from airports. They cannot interfere with manned aircraft under any circumstances. Media outlets and hobbyists are not exempt from these rules, even if their intent is to document wildfire damage.

Violations like these could lead to stricter regulations or outright bans in certain areas.

Licensed drone pilot Tim Sarquis, a producer for ABC, expressed frustration over the incident. When rogue pilots break the rules, it creates unnecessary dangers and undermines legitimate drone use.

Also Read: Key FAA Drone Regulations Every U.S. Pilot Should Know

Public Involvement: How You Can Help

The LA fires are already resource-intensive. Unauthorized drones pull resources away from saving homes and lives.

Authorities are urging the public to report any unauthorized drone activity near wildfires. If you see a drone flying where it shouldn’t be, speak up. You can report it anonymously to the FAA by calling 866-TELL-FAA or using their hotline webform.

The FBI is also asking for help in tracking down the drone operator responsible for the Palisades Fire incident. Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)  or visiting FBI.gov.

For Southern California, the new year has started with an intense battle for survival. The wildfires have put life and limb on the line, and also caused millions worth of property damage. And it’s not over yet. 

Don’t be the reason lives are endangered. Respect the rules, and let the professionals do their job.

Also Read: FAA Grounds Sky Elements After Orlando Drone Show Accident