Drones capable of spraying water and fire retardant are being tested in California and Alaska as a rapid-response tool for small wildfires, which climate change has made a nearly year-long risk across much of the United States. While most drones are too small to replace large crewed aircraft, companies and fire agencies are evaluating whether they can help crews extinguish small fires before they escalate.
In a July 15 field test, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) used five autonomous drones that together deployed between 500 and 1,000 gallons of foam. The drones, developed with help from Seneca, are expected to become commercially available in 2026.
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