It was this story originally published by KABCA television network owned and operated by ABC.
LOS ANGELES — Like fires driven by the wind Continue through Southern Californiaofficials are urging people not to fly drones in areas affected by the wildfires.
“Everybody should know, every bystander, that flying a drone in a fire traffic zone is not only dangerous, it’s illegal,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney.
David Muir anchors a special edition of “20/20” with ongoing coverage of the deadly wildfires in California. “American Catastrophe: LA Burning — A Special Edition of 20/20” premieres tonight at 9/8c on ABC.
The fire chief stressed that doing so could severely hamper efforts, noting that if a drone is over one of the fires crews are fighting, all aerial firefighting operations are shut down.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are established by the FAA to notify areas restricted to air travel due to a hazardous situation, a special event, or a general FAA airspace warning.
Today, TFRs are located over the Palisades and Eaton fires, allowing firefighting aircraft the airspace they need. Applies to all aircraft, including drones.
Drone videos of destroyed neighborhoods are being circulated on social media, despite the risk of jail time.
A retardant air tanker is fired at the Palisades Fire outside the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 10, 2025.
Eric Thayer/AP
At a news conference Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman reiterated that anyone caught flying a drone will face serious consequences.
“If you think it’s okay to send a drone for your own fun or to get information that no one else can get, and you do it in one of those areas that don’t allow drones. … you will be arrested, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said. he had
Under the FAA, you can still be arrested and fined even if there are no TFRs.
“Even in the absence of a TFR, drone pilots should avoid flying near wildfires.” The FAA says. “It is a federal crime to interfere with firefighting aircraft regardless of whether restrictions are in place, and violators can face severe penalties.”
A super scooper plane on contract from Quebec hit a drone while fighting Palisades Fire. It is only one of two available super wheels and is currently out of service until at least Monday while it is repaired, officials said.
The pilots didn’t know they had hit the drone until it landed at Van Nuys Airport and maintenance workers noticed a “fist-sized hole,” according to Maroney.
“We have our federal partners behind us,” he said. “(They) will have procedures in place to be able to track drones in our two large fire areas, and identify who is the operator of that drone.”
In 2019, KABC’s helicopter had to make an emergency landing afterwards hit by a drone While flying over downtown Los Angeles.
“We heard this pop, a loud bang,” said pilot and reporter Chris Cristi. “We felt it, we heard it. We all looked at each other. I didn’t really know what it was. We thought it was a bird, because it happens from time to time. But when we got to the ground, it was a different story.”
An aerial view shows smoke from the Palisades fire rising from the hills of Los Angeles on January 10, 2025.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
FAA rules prohibit drones from flying within five miles of an airport, above 400 feet or in a manner that interferes with manned aircraft. It also states that drones cannot be operated beyond the operator’s unaided line of sight.
And if you’re thinking of citing “the media” as a reason to be exempt from the rules, the FAA points out that even media workers are not allowed to fly near wildfires “unless they are given a special approval that requires direct approval.” response, mitigation or recovery activity”.
“These drone flights are illegal and dangerous for our firefighters,” said ABC Owned TV Station Executive Producer and Licensed Drone Pilot Tim Sarquis, “It makes it more difficult to legally fly. When drone pilots break the rules, it hurts everyone as a result. more often if drone bans are not enforced in some areas.”
Check out the latest stories and videos about the devastating wildfires in Southern California here.
ABC News contributed to this report.
