Drones capable of spraying water and fire retardant are being tested in California and Alaska as a rapid-response tool against wildfires, which have become a nearly year-round threat due to climate change. Although smaller than crewed aircraft and unable to replace large airtankers, these drones may help firefighters quickly suppress small blazes before they become destructive.
In a July 15 test, CAL FIRE used five autonomous drones to collectively deploy between 500 and 1,000 gallons of foam. The drones, developed by Seneca with support from FireWERX, are expected to be commercially available starting in 2026.
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