Record number of consumer drones are keeping firefighters grounded

Dave Mundwiler, a lead plane pilot, flies a recent mission in the lead wildfire response plane. In the airspace around wildfires, large airtankers, helicopters, water scoopers all share the same airspace. When unknown drones are spotted all of this activity is grounded due to safety reasons. (Forest Service photo by David Mundwiler)

An unauthorized drone flying in violation of a temporary flight restriction (TFR) area on January 9, 2025, collided with a firefighting aircraft. The aircraft, commonly referred to as a “super scooper,” was conducting fire suppression operations at the Palisades Fire near Malibu, California, and was able to land safely. The collision left a 3-inch by 6-inch hole in the left wing. (FBI photo)