Multiple unauthorized drones flew over the Palisades Fire on Friday afternoon, forcing firefighting aircraft to leave the area for safety and angering frontline workers, authorities said.
The sightings came just a day after a drone collided with a Super Scoop fixed-wing aircraft, grounding the aircraft for several days for repairs and reducing the number of aircraft available to fight the fires.
“This is not just harmless fun. This is very dangerous,” said Chris Thomas, public information officer for the Palisades Fire. “Seriously, what if that plane crashed? It could destroy a row of houses. It could destroy a school.
Thomas said the latest unauthorized drone was seen flying near the southeastern part of the fire, an area bordering Santa Monica, around 4:40 p.m. Friday.
“For safety reasons, we have to keep all aircraft out of the area until we know the drone is gone,” he said. “So it’s very dangerous because it takes away the fire’s ability to drip water.”
“If we have to take helicopters away from an area and the wind catches a cinder in that area and lifts it, we could set the whole other area on fire,” he added.
A major fire broke out Friday night on the eastern edge of the Palisades, prompting new evacuation orders for Brentwood and Encino as the fire moved northeast toward Mandeville Canyon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Aerial footage captured by KTLA showed firefighting aircraft swooping down to spray water on the area.
Thomas said law enforcement has been informed about the drones and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the latest incident.
“We take this very, very seriously,” he said.
The FAA issued a statement Thursday warning drone operators that temporary flight restrictions are currently in place around all major regional fires and that failure to comply could result in hefty fines.
“Interfering with firefighting efforts on public lands is a federal crime punishable by up to 12 months in prison,” the FAA said in a statement. “In addition, while temporary flight restrictions are in place, the FAA can impose penalties on any Drone pilots who interfere with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations are subject to civil penalties of up to $75,000.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone said Thursday that the drone that collided with the Super Shovel left a “fist-sized hole” in the aircraft and may not be back in the air until Monday.
Malone said the FBI now plans to come to the area with what he calls “air armor” to ensure no more drones can fly in firefighting areas.
Thomas said that with the retirement of the Super Scooper, there are currently 12 helicopters and seven fixed-wing aircraft fighting the Palisades Fire.
Firefighters had 8% containment of the 21,317-acre fire Friday night. The fire continues to spread, threatening homes in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica and Calabasas.
Times staff writers Terry Castleman and Grace Toohey contributed to this report.
