The FBI has unveiled photos of a DJI Mini drone responsible for damaging a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. The drone collision, which occurred in restricted airspace, caused a 3×6-inch hole in the plane’s left wing, forcing it to land for repairs and delaying firefighting operations by up to 30 minutes.
The water-dropping Super Scooper is one of the most effective tools for combating wildfires, according to Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “When incidents like this happen, it puts everybody’s lives at risk,” Davis emphasized during a press conference, according to ABC 7.
Flying drones near wildfires is not just reckless — it’s illegal. Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to secure airspace for emergency operations. However, unauthorized drones have become a significant obstacle for firefighters and law enforcement.
“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,” Davis explained. Despite clear restrictions, drone videos capturing fire damage and destruction continue to surface on social media, raising public safety concerns.
The damaged Super Scooper, one of only two such aircraft available, will remain out of service until at least Monday. These specialized planes scoop water from lakes and reservoirs before dousing wildfires — a critical capability now temporarily lost.
Authorities are taking the incident seriously. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned that anyone caught flying drones in restricted areas will face severe consequences. “If you’re thinking that it’s fine to send a drone up in the area for your own amusement, or you want to get information that nobody else can get, and you do it in one of these areas that for which drones are not permitted,” Hochman said. “You will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
Even outside restricted zones, drone pilots are advised to avoid wildfire areas. The FAA warns that interfering with firefighting aircraft is a federal crime punishable by fines or imprisonment.
The FBI is actively investigating the DJI Mini drone’s origins, using forensic methods to trace its owner. “We’ll work backwards through investigative means to try and recreate that drone and figure out what company owns that drone and who it was assigned to,” Davis said.
It’s important to note that incidents like this jeopardize public safety and could lead to stricter regulations on drone usage. When rogue pilots break the rules, it makes things harder for everyone and risks harsher restrictions — or outright bans — in the future.
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