The Los Angeles wildfires: Firefighting plane out of service for three days due to drone strike resulting in a "fist-sized hole."

Authorities are probing after a drone was flown into a firefighting aircraft's wing while it was carrying water to combat wildfires in Los Angeles, resulting in a "fist-sized hole" and rendering it inoperable for several days.

The Quebec 1 Super Scooper, which flew from Canada to aid in containing the Palisades Fire, was working as instructed by a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson, according to Planet Chronicle Digital.

At the time, there were only two Super Scooper aircraft operational in Southern California.

A civilian drone collided with an LAFD aircraft at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, as per Erik Scott, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

""The pilots unknowingly struck a drone during their flight, and it wasn't until they landed at Van Nuys airport that the maintenance staff discovered a fist-sized hole in the leading edge of the wing, near the landing light," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone in a press conference on Friday."

A spokesperson for the FAA informed Planet Chronicle Digital that interfering with firefighters is a federal crime that can result in imprisonment for up to a year and a fine of $75,000.

"The FAA takes these violations seriously and immediately considers swift enforcement action for these offenses. The FAA has not authorized anyone not affiliated with the Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones in the TFRs (temporary flight restrictions)."

CalFire anticipates that the plane will resume operations by Monday with no reported injuries.

It is advised by authorities that civilians should refrain from flying drones near wildfires as they may hinder the operations of low-flying firefighting aircraft and impede the response of emergency services. Distractions caused by pilots can be fatal.

The longer the delay, the more the fire can spread.

At least 10 people have been killed and over 10,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the fires in Southern California. The largest of these fires, the Palisades fire, has burned over 20,000 acres and is only 8% contained as of Friday morning.

Over 180,000 residents were ordered to evacuate earlier this week, and some of those orders have since been lifted.

Planet Chronicle' Greg Norman contributed to this report.