Drone Support for the Left Fork Fire
Left Fork Fire
Publication Type: News
06/29/2022
The #LeftForkFire has reached 40% containment, thanks to the hard work of firefighters on the ground. It remains at 4,254 acres.
To increase efficiency in fire suppression efforts, in recent years fire manages have begun incorporating the use of drones, or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). UAS are remotely piloted aircraft that assist with fire detection, identifying hotspots within the fire perimeter, and spot fires outside the perimeter. These drones utilize infrared (IR) thermal technology to track and map fire patterns, which can inform incident personnel’s decisions. This is especially important when helicopters or fixed wing aircraft are unable to fly due to unfavorable or dangerous conditions. An IR camera detects heat and energy, and creates an image on a screen, allowing fire managers to see heat signatures, even when visibility is significantly decreased from heavy smoke. Additionally, this cutting-edge technology makes it safer for firefighters, as the equipment can serve as a pair of “eyes” on fire areas that are difficult to get to or inaccessible. The use of UAS also frees up crew members from scouting, so they can assist with other fire suppression tasks,
Due to the weather and the inability to use aircraft for mapping flights in recent days, and the effectiveness of the equipment, UAS have been ordered to assist on the #LeftForkFire. The use of these drones are intended to speed up identification of hot spots, which is the focus of firefighters right now. Use of drones limits risk of exposure to crews.
As a reminder, it is critical that members of the public follow all Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR). To operate UAS on a wildfire, a thorough coordination effort is required between crews and air resources using internal Air-to-Ground radio frequencies. This prevents potential mid-air aircraft collisions. If non-incident drones are observed within the TFR, fire managers are required to ground all aerial attack until the UAS has left the airspace, and they are confident it won’t return. This causes limited support to crews on the ground, often during critical periods of necessary aerial support. Unauthorized drones pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and inhibit the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Remember…. If you fly, we can’t!
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