An investigation is underway into an unauthorized drone that hit a firefighting aircraft while it battled raging wildfires in Los Angeles last week.

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.

Fire officials in Southern California have informed the FAA that a firefighting aircraft struck a drone as it was flying over the Palisades Fire near the Los Angeles County coast.