The Rising Role of UAS in Wildfire Detection, Mitigation, and Suppression

For decades, planes and helicopters have been critical for managing wildland fires. These tools help transport firefighters, deliver equipment, drop fire retardants, and more. For example, during January’s wildfires in Los Angeles, Cal Fire deployed dozens of helicopters and several air tankers to transport firefighters, and drop water and fire retardants. CalFire, the state agency that oversees fire management and response, has a fleet of over 60 helicopters and planes, making it the largest fleet of aerial firefighting solutions in the world.

The next step in the evolution of aerial firefighting will come from unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, which can provide the same benefits as classic aerial aviation devices without risking human lives, and at a lower cost. While drones won’t be replacing boots on the ground firefighters in the near future, this article will explore the value they bring to the firefighting community.

IDGA’s Wildfire Technology Summit provides an outlet for federal agencies, utility companies, and fire departments to assemble and discuss cutting-edge fire mitigation solutions such as UAS. The two-day event will take place April 21-22 in San Diego, California. From advanced detection systems to resilient infrastructure, every conversation and session is designed to help you lead the charge in transforming how we tackle wildfire challenges.