Multiple unauthorized drones flew above the Palisades fire Friday, forcing firefighting aircraft to leave the area for safety and angering those on the front lines.

In the aftermath the FAA promised severe punishment for anyone caught flying drones in a way that interferes with firefighting, with penalties of up to 12 months in prison and $75,000 in fines. But the uncomfortable reality is that there is little that authorities can do to prevent illegal drone flights,

A firefighting aircraft battling the deadly Palisades Fire was struck by a drone, forcing the crucial plane out of action with a damaged wing, officials said. The Scooper plane, Quebec 1, was hit by the civilian drone while over Los Angeles around 1 p.