Wildland firefighters based in Alaska pioneered the use of drones, otherwise known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), during the summer of 2017 to help provide fire crew support, hot spot detection and mapping. Since then, these drones have helped fire crews contain spot fires both during the day and the night, and have prevented countless injuries to fire personnel who benefit from the "eyes in the sky". Drones are currently working on fire across the west to increase containment and we will be sharing more stories about their capabilities over the next several days.
Background information: Most drones have a camera that can shoot photos and video, but the UAS can also be equipped with a variety of sensors, including an infrared camera. The infrared camera can be deployed quickly to detect hot spots on sections of the fire. The UAS transmits data to the remote pilot in real time, providing land managers and incident personnel with timely, accurate information needed to make informed decisions. In this video from the archive, the drone operator identifies a spot fire over the intended containment line and hovers while firefighters respond and swiftly extinguish the fire in a matter of seconds.
The benefits of using UAS can be summed up in four words: science, safety, savings and service. Since 2017, agencies across the US have been exploring the use of UAS for not just mapping fires and delivering aerial ignitions to precise locations, but also to survey vegetation, river corridors and wildlife counts. UAS can be operated at a cost substantially lower than manned aircraft. Most importantly, the use of UAS can reduce the risks associated with manned aircraft. The quadcopter costs about $2,000, plus the cost of the sensor and the wages for the pilot and observer required for each flight. Because the quadcopters have the ability to fly low and hover, they can go where planes may not be able to and can be used on missions that may be too risky for manned aircraft.
Please note: Official use of drones on wildfires is approved by fire managers and is coordinated with the Air Operations Director. Public use of drones is not allowed and interferes with operations.
Video credit: BLM Alaska Fire Service
Негізгі бет Drone Side by Side Footage
Пікірлер