Firefighting Drones - Thermal Imaging Wildfire Drones
Firefighting drones are revolutionizing fire management with cutting-edge technology. These drones, equipped with thermal imaging and advanced sensors, provide fire departments with critical data for more effective wildfire detection and response. Whether used for real-time surveillance or deploying fire extinguishing agents, these unmanned systems enhance the efficiency and safety of firefighting operations, making them indispensable tools in modern fire response strategies.
UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and drones have become essential tools for fire departments and environmental agencies, providing vital aerial intelligence and payload delivery capabilities for dealing with urban and building fires as well as large forest fires and wildfires.
Drones are an ideal tool for first responders and search and rescue teams, as they are more cost-effective than manned aircraft and helicopters, and can be deployed quickly without the need to put personnel at risk.
Types of Fire Department Drones
- Multirotor drones may be used where more maneuverability is required, such as between buildings. They are also used for drone wildfire detection since VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) capability makes them quick to deploy and easy to transport.
- Fixed-wing drones may be deployed where large areas need to be covered quickly, such as in the case of extensive wildfires.
Firefighting drones typically require rugged design and construction due to the harsh environmental conditions that they will face. Their components may need to be qualified for use at extended temperature ranges, and they may also need to be protected against ingress of water and smoke particles.
Drone wildfire detection with the long-range TEKEVER AR3, featuring thermal imaging sensors and communications relay system
Applications for Firefighting Drones
Drones for Aerial Reconnaissance & Fire Detection
Drones equipped with electro-optical cameras can capture a range of useful information that can be broadcast back to ground crews. They can be used to capture real-time video footage in order to gain an understanding of the extent of the fire and its behavior, including the direction and speed of spread.
This video footage can also be used to spot potential hazards such as flammable or explosive materials, and to detect people in the vicinity who may be at risk. This information can be used to help firefighting teams prepare a more effective response.
FB3 heavy-lift multirotor drone by FlyingBasket used for fire surveillance and detection
Water & Fire Retardant Delivery
While most small drones are only capable of carrying EO/IR gimbals and other imaging payloads, heavy-lift drones with greater carrying capacities may be used to fight fires directly. Successful examples of this include drones equipped with a water hose connected to a ground-based supply, and unmanned aircraft that can drop fire retardants such as dry powder.
Thermal Imaging for Firefighting
Firefighting Drone by Ziyan. The Blowfish A4 can be equipped with multispectral cameras and firefighting equipment
Thermal imaging and infrared cameras can be used to capture information that may be either less visible or completely invisible to regular electro-optical cameras. They may be used for wildfire detection in the initial stages, providing a greater chance of controlling them before they spread further. By analyzing the infrared radiation given off by different parts of the fire, they can be used to figure out where hotspots are, allowing fire crews to focus their efforts on the most effective areas.
Unlike visible cameras, thermal cameras can also see through smoke and haze, and are also effective during night-time operations. In addition to dealing with the fire itself, these capabilities make them highly suited to detecting people and animals who may be trapped, and informing search and rescue teams of their locations.
Products (13)
Related Articles
Advanced VTOL & Fixed-Wing UAVs | State-Of-The-Art Technologies for Unmanned & Autonomous Aircraft
Hybrid VTOL Fixed Wing UAV for Autonomous Mapping, Surveillance, Inspection and VTOL Cargo Applications
Autonomous UAS, Research & Inspection UAVs for Industrial Inspection, Survey & Mapping
Join Thousands of Unmanned Systems Professionals
Sign up free to UST Pro to get full website access, the weekly eBrief and exclusive event discounts.
