Private drones fly near consuming forest fires Los Angeles County Firefighting aircraft continued to intervene in aerial firefighting efforts on Saturday evening, according to officials, as the death toll from the fires rose.
Officials have discovered 48 privately owned drones flying over the fires since the fires broke out All hell broke loose Tuesday, Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Robert Harris said during a news conference Saturday evening.
“When those privately owned drones are discovered, we have to temporarily stop firefighting activities, so we ask you to help us by not operating drones in the area,” Harris said, adding that police are looking for the drone owners and they will face jail time. . Possible prosecution.
Authorities are urging civilians not to fly drones near wildfires because they could get in the way of low-flying firefighting aircraft and delay emergency responders. Distractions for pilots can be deadly.
A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday, January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
On Thursday, someone flew a private drone and it collided with the wing of a Quebec 1 Super Scooper firefighter plane while it was carrying water to fight wildfires. Collision, officials said Caused a 'fist-sized hole' On the plane and took it out of service until at least Monday.
A Super Scooper plane drops water on the Palisades Fire on Tuesday in Pacific Palisades, California. (Brian Van Der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Super Scooper plane, which took off from Canada, was working to contain the Palisades Fire at the time of the accident. Officials said the pilots were unaware of the drone strike, which was not discovered until after they landed at Van Nuys Airport and maintenance personnel noticed the hole.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, and a Fox News Digital spokesperson said interfering with firefighters is a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison and a $75,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the death toll related to the wildfires jumped to 16, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 as a result of the Eaton Fire.
A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Friday, January 10, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
As of Saturday evening, the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hearst fires had burned about 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco, Cal Fire said. The Palisades and Eaton fires — the largest wildfires — have so far burned 59 square miles.
Firefighters are still working to contain the Palisades and Eaton fires. Cal Fire reported the Palisades Fire 11% contained and the Eaton Fire 15% contained Saturday night.
Firefighters watch water fall on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jay Si Hong)
As the battle continues, the firefighters prepare for another round of combat Strong winds It is expected to begin Monday, said Michael Tromm of the California Office of Emergency Services.
Michael Ruiz and Julia Bonavita of Fox News Digital, along with the Associated Press, contributed to this report.
