LA fires: Unauthorized 'drone incidents' reach double digits; 3 arrested
LOS ANGELES - Three people have been arrested in connection with unauthorized drone incidents in Los Angeles as firefighters work to contain multiple wildfires including the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.
During a press conference Monday, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the three arrests make up a total of 34 arrests made in fire evacuation zones for various charges including looting and curfew violations.
"We are arresting people who are not supposed to be there, who do not live there," Luna said.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman doubled down on the prosecution of anyone flying a drone in unauthorized areas.
"If you're thinking that it's fine to send a drone up in the area for your own amusement, or you want to get information that nobody else can get, and you do it in one of these areas that for which drones are not permitted ... you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law," Hochman said last week.
The stern warning comes after a Super Scooper plane was forced to go off-duty on Jan. 9 after it collided with a small drone. The FAA is investigating as that drone operator violated temporary flight restrictions.
"Again, if you do not have business in the evacuation areas, do not go there. You're infringing upon the work of our first responders.
Officials have detected 48 privately owned drones flying over the fires since the infernos erupted Tuesday, Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief Robert Harris said during a briefing Saturday evening.
Authorities urge civilians not to fly drones near wildfires because they can get in the way of low-flying firefighting aircraft and delay emergency responders. Pilot distractions can be deadly.
The FAA is investigating, and a spokesperson told Fox News Digital that interfering with firefighters is a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison and a $75,000 fine. Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip online.
Over the weekend, several arrests were made including 10 burglary suspects in Santa Monica, and another involving a man impersonating a firefighter in an evacuation zone.
Those not charged with attempted burglary were arrested for curfew violations, drug possession warrants, and probation violations.
The Source: This story was reported with information from a press conference held on Monday, Jan. 13 and previous FOX 11 reports. FOX TV Stations and FOX News contributed to this report.