KAMLOOPS — The BC Wildfire Service says police are investigating after one of its firefighting aircraft was struck by a civilian drone that was being illegally flown in restricted airspace.

It says the incident on Tuesday evening involved a bird dog plane that directs airtankers and other aircraft, and occurred during operations against a blaze in the Cariboo Fire Centre.

Fire information officer Amanda Graves says the strike caused minor damage to one of the wings of the bird dog, which was repaired and back in service the next morning.

She says no one was hurt and RCMP are investigating.

The service says on social media that such interference with its aerial operations “poses significant risk” and anyone found flying drones in restricted areas faces penalties of up to $100,000 and up

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