One of only two specialized planes, known as Super Scoopers, used to fight the wildfires in Los Angeles was grounded after colliding with a drone on Thursday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the aircraft landed safely despite the damage. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated the drone created a “fist-sized hole” in the plane’s wing.
The incident occurred at the Palisades Fire, where the Super Scooper, named Quebec 1, was helping to control the massive blaze. The pilots were unaware of the collision until maintenance crews discovered the damage after landing. Repairs are underway, and the plane is expected to return to service by Monday.
Super Scoopers, or Canadair CL-415 aircraft, are critical in wildfire response. These planes scoop water from lakes or oceans and drop it on fires. LA County has been using these aircraft alongside other planes to combat the wildfires currently affecting Southern California.
The FAA warned that flying drones near wildfires is illegal and dangerous. Doing so can result in fines of up to $75,000 and up to one year in prison. The agency emphasized that drones can force firefighters to ground their aircraft, delaying response efforts and endangering lives and property.
Chief Marrone echoed these concerns, stating that if more drones are spotted, firefighting operations could be further delayed. At 4:18 p.m. on Thursday, the FAA issued temporary flight restrictions over the fire zones to prioritize firefighting aircraft.
Chris Thomas, a spokesperson for California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), called the situation extremely dangerous. He explained that grounding aircraft for even 15–30 minutes allows wildfires to spread rapidly. As of Friday, nearly 36,000 acres were burning in the region.
Speculation has arisen online about the drone operator’s identity, with some pointing to photography accounts that post aerial images of fires. Chief Marrone warned that federal officials are monitoring the situation and can identify drone operators.
Drone interference is a growing issue, with similar concerns raised during recent drone sightings on the East Coast. The FAA and fire officials urge people to keep drones away from disaster zones to avoid jeopardizing firefighting efforts and public safety.
