Colorado community prepares for wildfires with new firefighting drones

Firefighters in Colorado have been looking for new and better ways to prepare for wildfires as the fire season has extended year-round.

The Aspen Fire Department is developing a drone strike team to help combat wildfires. The department is working to acquire up to five drones equipped with sensors that enable them to avoid obstacles and fly at night. They also include heat-detection and infrared capabilities.

The drones by Seneca have approximately the same capacity as a medium-sized brush truck, capable of carrying 12 gallons of water, which expands to 60 gallons of firefighting foam. Aspen has been working on the plan to procure the drones all year, and they signed the contract on Thursday. 

Aspen's Fire Chief, Jake Anderson, says, "This is just another tool in the toolbox."  He says this tool would complement traditional wildfire-fighting air and ground support. Andersen says it's a pilot program, and once fully operational the drones could fly to points of ignition and put out small fires before they grow.

Aspen's Fire Department expects to receive the new drones this summer, but it will take time to obtain approval for flights over local, state, and federal lands. However, Andersen says the department is already training its staff to use them.

"My priority is the safety of our community here in Aspen — our residents, our visitors, our firefighters, and the unique beauty we call home," said Andersen. "Advances in semi-autonomous suppression and other wildfire technologies give us powerful new tools to make that happen. The best tools for what we do are built with firefighters in mind, and when they are, it shows. We welcome any innovation that helps us protect lives, property, and the landscape we're entrusted to defend."

Private donors are funding the drone program.

Editor's note:  An earlier version of this story listed an incorrect gallon capacity of the drones and their cost.