AI Firefighting Drones Are Giving Crews a New Tool Against Wildfires

One of the most difficult aspects of containing a wildfire is that the flames don’t wait for humans to catch up. A blaze can spread rapidly across difficult terrain, shift direction as winds change, and produce conditions too dangerous for firefighters to enter. By the time crews know exactly where a fire is and how quickly it is moving, the situation may already have changed. However, the same technology that is changing how you interact with your cell phone is offering firefighters another option.

Researchers, tech companies, and emergency agencies are experimenting with drones equipped with artificial intelligence, cameras, sensors, and other systems that can identify fires, monitor their movement, and potentially help crews determine where to concentrate their efforts. The technology isn’t designed to replace firefighters. Instead, it could give them something they have always needed during a wildfire: better information, available faster.

Drones Can Go Where People Can't

One of the biggest advantages of AI firefighting drones is the fact that they can go where humans cannot. Drones can fly over areas that may be too dangerous for people to enter, making it possible to extinguish flames closer to their source. A drone can also reach locations that are difficult to access from the ground, including steep slopes, remote wilderness, and areas cut off by fire.

Traditional aircraft already play an important role in wildfire control. Helicopters and airplanes provide information about a fire’s intensity and direction while also providing a path to extinguish the flames from above. Smaller drones may be able to operate closer to the fire and reach areas that larger aircraft with human pilots cannot safely get to.

Artificial Intelligence Adds Another Layer

A camera alone isn’t enough to combat a fire. During a major wildfire, emergency personnel may have access to thousands of images and even more pieces of data. No matter how skilled someone is, it still takes a considerable amount of time to interpret each piece of data and decide how important it is when compared to the others. This level of triage often leads to questionable decisions that can potentially impact thousands of people.

AI systems can be trained to analyze images and identify patterns associated with smoke, flames, or changing fire conditions. Instead of requiring a person to watch every inch of a video feed, software can help flag areas that deserve immediate attention. That can make a difference when conditions are changing rapidly. While a human still has to make the final decision, wildfire detection technology can make it easier to make a choice.

Detecting a Fire Early Can Change the Entire Response

AI wildfire response isn’t only about fighting established fires. Instead, some experts believe that AI firefighting drones may be the most useful when asked to find fires before they have time to evolve into a major emergency.

A small fire can be dramatically easier to contain than a large one. The challenge is finding it quickly, particularly in remote areas where there may be no one around to report smoke. Drones equipped with cameras and sensors can potentially patrol areas where human monitoring is difficult.

Some Drones Can Operate at Night

Darkness presents another potential issue when it comes to wildfire control. Planes and helicopters may not be able to safely approach certain areas because of poor visibility. Meanwhile, firefighting crews on the ground are left to try to contend with the fire based only on what they can see.

Traditional aerial operations are more difficult when visibility is poor, while firefighters on the ground still have to contend with rapidly changing conditions. Specialized drones can be equipped with thermal imaging and other sensors that allow them to detect heat even when ordinary cameras can't provide a clear picture. That can be useful after the main flames have been contained, too. A fire that appears to be under control can continue smoldering beneath vegetation or other materials and potentially reignite.

Firefighting Drones Could Eventually Do More Than Watch

While they’re currently built for observation, there is hope that drones may eventually do more than just collect data. Researchers and companies are also exploring drones that could actively participate in fire suppression. While smaller drones will never be able to replace the large planes that drop thousands of gallons of water on an inferno, they could potentially drop suppressant onto targeted locations.

Ultimately, wildfire technology is about giving firefighters more time, and that begins with providing them with more information.

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