Drone hits, grounds super scooper fighting Palisades Fire
LOS ANGELES - An aircraft fighting to put out the Palisades Fire over Los Angeles was grounded after hitting a drone in midair on Thursday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Palisades Fire broke out on Jan. 6, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, and has since burned more than 19,000 acres, claimed at least two lives and destroyed thousands of buildings.
Devastating Santa Ana winds on Tuesday made the firefight difficult in the air until Wednesday. On Thursday, the FAA reported that an aircraft struck a drone over the fire while trying to fight the flames. The "super scooper" was grounded because of the damage from the impact, officials told the Los Angeles Times.
RELATED FIRE COVERAGE:
- Palisades Fire: Two deaths confirmed as fire grows with zero containment
- Deadly Eaton Fire grows to over 13k acres; at least 4k structures damaged or destroyed
- Kenneth Fire: Blaze that started in West Hills spreads to Ventura County
According to the FAA, the aircraft was able to land safely, and the agency is investigating who was flying the drone.
"Flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives," the FAA wrote in a report. "When people fly drones near wildfires, fire response agencies often ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for a midair collision. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger."
A firefighting aircraft drops the fire retardant Phos-Chek as the Palisades Fire burns amid a powerful windstorm on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Flying a drone in the area could interfere with operations, a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $75,000, according to the FAA.