Multiple unauthorized drones flew above the Palisades fire in Santa Monica, California, on Friday afternoon, forcing important firefighting aircraft to leave the area for safety, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Authorities decided to move the firefighting aircraft out of the area after a drone collided with a Super Scooper aircraft on Thursday. That plane was grounded for several days to be repaired, taking away a key asset for firefighters as the Palisades fire continues to burn. Authorities said that the drones were spotted near the southeastern portion of the fire around 4:40 p.m. on Friday, according to the Times.
“Because of safety, we have to get all the aircraft out of the area until we know the drones are gone,” said Chris Thomas, the public information officer for the Palisades fire. “So that is very dangerous, because it takes water-dropping capability away from the fire.”
“If we have to take helicopters out of an area and the wind catches one of those cinders in that area and lifts it up, we could ignite a whole other area,” Thomas added.
The Palisades fire, which has already blazed through over 22,000 acres in Los Angeles County, is only at 11% containment as of the latest update from the Cal Fire on Saturday morning. New evacuation orders were issued in Brentwood and Encino on Friday evening as the fire moved toward Mandeville Canyon, the Times reported. At least two people have died in the Palisades fire, while at least five people have been reported dead from the Eaton fire on L.A.’s east side.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25
As the fires continue to rage in Southern California, airplanes and helicopters are vital for firefighters seeking to protect communities from the flames. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement on Thursday warning drone operators of the consequences of interfering with firefighting efforts.
“It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,” the FAA said. “Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations when temporary flight restrictions are in place.”
L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that the FBI is planning to come to the area to assist in ensuring that no more drones are endangering firefighting efforts.
“This is not just harmless fun. This is incredibly dangerous,” Thomas, the Palisades fire spokesman, added. “Seriously, what if that plane had gone down? It could have taken out a row of homes. It could have taken out a school.”
[#item_full_content]
[[{“value”:”
Multiple unauthorized drones flew above the Palisades fire in Santa Monica, California, on Friday afternoon, forcing important firefighting aircraft to leave the area for safety, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Authorities decided to move the firefighting aircraft out of the area after a drone collided with a Super Scooper aircraft on Thursday. That plane was grounded for several days to be repaired, taking away a key asset for firefighters as the Palisades fire continues to burn. Authorities said that the drones were spotted near the southeastern portion of the fire around 4:40 p.m. on Friday, according to the Times.
“Because of safety, we have to get all the aircraft out of the area until we know the drones are gone,” said Chris Thomas, the public information officer for the Palisades fire. “So that is very dangerous, because it takes water-dropping capability away from the fire.”
“If we have to take helicopters out of an area and the wind catches one of those cinders in that area and lifts it up, we could ignite a whole other area,” Thomas added.
The Palisades fire, which has already blazed through over 22,000 acres in Los Angeles County, is only at 11% containment as of the latest update from the Cal Fire on Saturday morning. New evacuation orders were issued in Brentwood and Encino on Friday evening as the fire moved toward Mandeville Canyon, the Times reported. At least two people have died in the Palisades fire, while at least five people have been reported dead from the Eaton fire on L.A.’s east side.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25
As the fires continue to rage in Southern California, airplanes and helicopters are vital for firefighters seeking to protect communities from the flames. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement on Thursday warning drone operators of the consequences of interfering with firefighting efforts.
“It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,” the FAA said. “Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations when temporary flight restrictions are in place.”
L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that the FBI is planning to come to the area to assist in ensuring that no more drones are endangering firefighting efforts.
“This is not just harmless fun. This is incredibly dangerous,” Thomas, the Palisades fire spokesman, added. “Seriously, what if that plane had gone down? It could have taken out a row of homes. It could have taken out a school.”
“}]]
