The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday it is temporarily barring drone flights over 22 critical infrastructure locations in New Jersey.

The FAA said the decision was made at the request of federal security partners after the agency barred drones over two locations in New Jersey in November.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sign warns against the use of drones, in this illustration. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

A frenzy of concern about drones in New Jersey and surrounding states has prompted a dramatic spike in the number of people in the area pointing lasers at airplanes flying overhead, which is illegal and can be dangerous, the FAA said Wednesday. U.S. agencies have repeatedly said the spike in drone sightings does not pose national security risks and that they appear to be mostly aircraft, stars or hobbyist drones.