Wildfire Drones
Drones, sometimes referred to as unmanned aerial systems or UAS, have been flying under the radar as a new tool in the fight against wildfire for the United States Forest Service. Since the UAS program started in 2018, the annual number of drones flights for the U.S. Forest Service has jumped from 734 flights in 2019 to over 17,000 in 2024.
UAS Drone Pilot, Luke Sutton, 33, takes off to fly the edge of the Banana Lake Fire outside of Plains, Montana on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Firefighting crews feel for hotspots by hand on the Banana Lake Fire outside of Plains, Montana on Friday, June 6, 2025.
An Unmanned Aerial System, or commonly called drone, deployed on a wildfire by the U.S. Forest Service. This drone was built by Drone Amplified.
UAS Drone Pilot, Luke Sutton, 33, uses thermal infrared technology to look for wildfire hotspots from the air on the Banana Lake Fire outside of Plains, Montana on Friday, June 6, 2025.
US Forest Service division supervisor, Ry Phipps, 37, uses the drone program pilots to coordinate with hand crews on the ground on the Banana Lake Fire outside of Plains, Montana on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Since 2018, the number of U.S. Forest Service drones flights has jumped from 734 flights in 2019 to over 17,000 in 2024.
A fire danger sign near Plains, Montana.
US Forest Service employee, George Foelsch, 38, removes batteries following a drone flight on the Banana Lake Fire outside of Plains, Montana on Friday, June 6, 2025.
Although drones are becoming increasingly popular with the U.S. Forest Service, private drones are not allowed to fly on or near wildfires due to safety concerns with firefighting aircraft.