A firefighting plane collided with a drone while operating over the Palisades Fire on Thursday evening, according to aviation authorities in Los Angeles.
Although the exact nature of the damage is unclear, officials told the Los Angeles Times that the plane, called a Super Scooper, sustained a hole in its wing. It is unclear how long the plane will be out of service. No injuries have been reported related to the incident.
“Flying a drone near a fire is dangerous and can cost lives,” officials said, emphasizing that it can lead to the grounding of aircraft.
“Delays in air response pose a threat to ground firefighters, residents, and properties in nearby communities, and could allow fires to grow.”
The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, which issued a stern reminder to civilians that flying a drone amid firefighting efforts is a federal crime and can result in up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $75,000, reports CBS News.
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