FBI Searches for Drone Operator in Firefighting Incident
FBI investigators are intensifying their efforts to identify the operator of a private drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft amid the wildfires in Los Angeles, California. The collision occurred on January 9, 2025, at 13:30 local time during operations to combat the massive Palisades fire, which has already burned more than 23,713 acres in LA County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The incident involved a Canadair CL-415 “Super Scooper” engaged in water-dropping activities to suppress the raging fire. Paramedic-Public Information Officer Erik Scott from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed via social media that the drone involved was not assigned to the fire suppression efforts. Despite sustaining damage—a three-inch-by-six-inch hole in its wing—the “Super Scooper” landed safely but remains out of service pending repairs and further inspection.
Akil Davis, FBI Assistant Director at the Los Angeles Field Office, told Fox News that the collision resulted in visible structural damage and that investigators are collaborating with both public and private sector counterparts to trace the rogue drone’s operator. “We are working with our public and private sector counterparts to try to identify the operator of that drone,” Davis said. He added that, in previous years, the FBI had warned and fined drone operators in similar circumstances, and noted that since the incident, there have been more than ten contacts with drone operators.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also conducting an investigation into the incident. The agency reminded the public that interfering with firefighting operations on public lands is a federal crime. Under federal regulations, any drone pilot found to be interfering with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response efforts during periods of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $75,000.
New images of the damaged “Super Scooper,” released by the FBI on January 12, 2025, clearly show the hole on the aircraft’s wing caused by the drone collision. These images have been circulated among investigators and are expected to aid in the ongoing inquiry.
The collision comes at a time when wildfires continue to challenge emergency responders in Los Angeles County. Officials are urging the public to refrain from flying drones over wildfire-affected areas, emphasizing that unauthorized drone operations can severely jeopardize critical firefighting efforts and endanger lives.
As the investigations by both the FBI and FAA continue, authorities are determined to hold accountable any individual found interfering with the firefighting operations that are crucial to protecting communities and preserving public safety in LA County.
For more updates on this incident and additional details on drone regulations and wildfire response efforts, please refer to official announcements from the FBI, FAA, and the Los Angeles Fire Department.
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