ANKARA

The FBI is investigating the operator of an unauthorized civilian drone that collided last Thursday with a firefighting aircraft battling wildfires in Los Angeles.

The drone violated temporary flight restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to the ongoing wildfires and damaged the left wing of the aircraft, also known as a “super scooper,” FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller said in a Sunday statement, according to CBS News.

Despite the damage, the super scooper was able to land safely after the incident.

Authorities later recovered parts of the “heavily damaged” drone after it crashed, Eimiller added.

“While we have conducted a significant investigation working with our partners, we are seeking the public’s help in identifying the operator of the drone,” Eimiller stated.

Since the start of the wildfires last week, at least 40 incidents involving unauthorized drones have forced firefighters to halt air operations, California officials reported, according to CBS News.

“When people fly drones near wildfires, fire response agencies often ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for a midair collision,” the FAA warned on its website. “Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters, residents, and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger.”

Flight restrictions in the wildfire areas of Los Angeles are expected to remain in effect until Jan. 25.

Since igniting on Jan. 7 in multiple parts of the city, the fires have spread rapidly due to strong winds, claiming 24 lives and leaving 16 people missing.

Over 150,000 residents have been evacuated, and more than 700 have been relocated to shelters.

*Writing by Asiye Latife Yilmaz in Istanbul