Ontario Provincial Police are reminding people that pointing a laser at an aircraft can have catastrophic results.
OPP in Oxford County say just before midnight on Thursday, an OPP helicopter was looking for a wanted person near Woodstock when it was struck by a laser while in flight.
The flight crew was able to take corrective action to avoid the laser, preventing injury as well as impact to flight operations.
Transport Canada says in 2016, there were over 500 reported incidents nationwide.
"Laser attacks on aircraft are a serious and growing concern," says OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair in a statement. "The OPP take these actions very seriously and if the person(s) responsible are identified, they will be held accountable for their actions."
The OPP reminds people that lasers are not toys, and it is a criminal offence to point one at a flying aircraft. Doing so can create glare that distracts or temporarily blinds the pilots, putting passengers, as well as people on the ground, at serious risk.
Anyone convicted of this offence may face fines up to $100,000, five years in prison or both.
The OPP says if you see anyone endangering an aircraft in any way, call 911. If you have information on the Thursday night incident, please call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).