Flying drones: playthings of folks who don't give a damn about their effects on others

Their owned and/or used by people who are selfish and seeking entertainment.

From LA-ist -

Water-dropping Super Scooper aircraft is grounded after colliding with a civilian drone

A water-dropping Super Scooper aircraft sent from Canada to battle fires ravaging the L.A. area has been grounded after colliding with a civilian drone on Thursday, officials said.

The collision took the aircraft, which was being used to fight the deadly Palisades Fire, out of commission to repair a fist-sized hole in its wing at a time when firefighters are struggling to increase containment. No injuries were reported and the plane was slated to return to service on Monday.

Those who interfere with firefighting efforts can be (and should be!) prosecuted.

From KABC in LA -

FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire

The FBI released new photos of a damaged water-dropping super scooper firefighting aircraft that collided with a drone over the Palisades Fire.

According to officials, the plane collided with a privately-owned drone, causing significant damage to it. The drone put a 3x6 hole in the aircraft, causing a 20- to 30-minute delay in the aerial firefight.

[snip]

During a news conference Thursday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman reiterated that anyone caught flying a drone faces severe consequences.

"If you're thinking that it's fine to send a drone up in the area for your own amusement, or you want to get information that nobody else can get, and you do it in one of these areas that for which drones are not permitted ... you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law," he said.

According to the FAA, you can still be arrested and fined, even if TFRs are not in place.

"Even if a TFR is not in place, drone pilots should avoid flying near wildfires," the FAA states. "It's a federal crime to interfere with firefighting aircraft regardless of whether restrictions are established, and violators can face stiff penalties."

And it's not just flying drones over wildfires and obstructing efforts to combat the devastation caused by the fires.

From Athlon Sports via MSN -

Drone Costs Justin Fields Chance To Play in Steelers' Loss To Ravens

[snip]

Fields played two non-consecutive snaps in the first half of his NFL playoff debut, but when he was about to get a chance for a big moment later in the game, it was stolen by a drone.

The audience watching exclusively on Prime Video was left in the dark when a Steelers play was blown dead before the snap in the third quarter and the game was sent straight to commercial break with no explanation. 

Alternate broadcast footage posted by an account on X showed that Fields had entered the game under center for the 2nd and 1 play as Pittsburgh attempted to rally, down 28-7.

Fields did not come back on the field when they replayed the down. Four plays later, Wilson threw a 36-yard touchdown to George Pickens. Wilson failed to convert the momentum into a full comeback after that, but Fields did not play another snap in the game.

Sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung later confirmed on the broadcast that the Steelers-Ravens stoppage was after "NFL security spotted a drone over the top of the stadium."

Welcome to America in the 21st century.