LA fires update: Super scooper damaged by drone ready to fly again

A super scooper on loan from Canada that’s been helping fight the fires will be back in action this week after taking a hit by a drone. 

The plane was damaged on Thursday after it was hit by a civilian drone illegally flying in the Palisades fire area, the LA County Fire Department said

"The maintenance staff noticed that there was a fist-sized hole in the leading edge of the wing inboard of the landing light. That Super Scooper will be prioritized for repair 24/7," L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at the time. 

Marrone said Monday during a press conference that the plane had been repaired and should be back up and flying on Tuesday, pending FAA approval. 

RELATED: Drone hits, grounds 1 of 2 'Super Scoopers' fighting Palisades Fire

What is a super scooper?

Two super scoopers have been loaned from Canada and are in the area to help battle the fires, though one, as mentioned, was out of commission for several days.  

The planes were designed with the intent to land on water, scoop up thousands of gallons of water at a time and return to land to make the drop. 

The planes have been seen in the area landing in the ocean and scooping up water to drop on structures that were burning on the shore. 

"(Using salt water) is not an unprecedented concept but it’s not the preferred thing because a lot of salty, ocean water, if you will, it leaves some environmental and mediation issues that they have to deal with later," global security expert and retired Marine intelligence officer Hal Kempfer told FOX 11 last week.

Using fresh water is the preferred method. Weather conditions also must be favorable for the plane to land in the ocean. 

RELATED: California attorney general warns of price gouging, scams amid wildfires: What to know

Drone arrests in LA fire areas

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday that several drone-related arrests have been made since the fires broke out last Tuesday.  

He said two people were arrested Sunday night in one incident, and said a third person had also been arrested but did not provide more details on either case. It wasn’t clear if the previous arrest was in connection with the super scooper damage. 

"Flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives," the FAA wrote in a report. "When people fly drones near wildfires, fire response agencies often ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for a midair collision. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger."

Flying a drone in a fire zone is illegal and could interfere with operations, a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $75,000, according to the FAA.

The Source: Information in this article was taken from public comments made by L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone and Sheriff Robert Luna at a press briefing on Jan. 13, 2025. Background information about super scoopers and FAA drone regulations was taken from previous FOX 11 reportings. 

WildfiresCrime and Public Safety