One of the two Super Scooper airplanes on loan from Canada is out of service for the weekend. The water tanker requires repairs after hitting a drone flying illegally in the fire zone. The plane’s wing has a “fist-sized” hole in it. The FAA investigates the incident, and law enforcement believes the agency will identify the drone’s operator. The Super Scooper should be back in service on Monday.
Law enforcement in Los Angeles is issuing a stern warning to anyone considering looting homes or flying unauthorized drones in the wildfire burn zones. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says anyone caught looting will be arrested and booked with a serious charge. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman echoed Sheriff Luna’s warning, calling looters despicable and promising that if caught, they would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The California National Guard got boots on the ground Thursday night in the fight against looters. Armored vehicles were seen on the 210 freeway late tonight traveling towards the Eaton Fire that has torn through Pasadena and Altadena the past several days.