A Canadian "Super Scooper" aircraft battling the Palisades Fire in California sustained damage after colliding with a privately owned drone, the FBI confirmed. The incident, which left a noticeable hole in the plane's wing, forced a temporary grounding of firefighting aircraft in the area, a critical setback in wildfire containment efforts.

A Canadian firefighting aircraft was struck by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)

A Canadian firefighting aircraft was struck by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)

A Canadian firefighting aircraft was struck by a drone over Los Angeles County. (FBI)

A hole is seen in a Canadian firefighting aircraft after it collided with a drone. (FBI)

FBI Los Angeles is actively searching for the drone operator. Akil Davis, assistant director in charge, stressed the critical role these aircraft play in wildfire suppression, stating their grounding creates "significant issues for public safety and dangerous scenarios for first responders." While some drone parts have been recovered, the investigation is ongoing. The FBI is collaborating with public and private partners to identify the culprit. Davis highlighted the increasing problem of unauthorized drone activity during wildfires, which are already straining resources. He emphasized the potential for catastrophic consequences if a firefighting plane were to crash due to a drone collision. The FAA’s temporary flight restrictions during wildfires permit only authorized drones, primarily for law enforcement and fire suppression. Ground intercept teams are actively patrolling to catch and penalize violators, who could face substantial fines and even imprisonment. Davis urged the public to cooperate, emphasizing, "If you fly, we can't… please don't be selfish. Pay attention to the law. Obey the law." Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI.