Firefighting drones capable of spraying water and fire retardant are being tested in California and Alaska, offering a potential rapid-response tool as climate change extends wildfire season across much of the United States. While smaller than crewed aircraft and unable to replace large airtankers, these drones are designed to quickly suppress small fires before they escalate.
In a July 15 field test, CAL FIRE deployed five autonomous drones that together released between 500 and 1,000 gallons of foam. The demonstration, supported by FireWERX and Seneca, paves the way for commercial availability of the drones starting in 2026.
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