New Bills Propel Drones in Wildfire Fights

In a bid to ramp up the battle against wildfires, drones are soaring onto the scene, thanks to federal lawmakers’ initiatives. Yet, the bureaucratic entanglements around regulations and procurement pose significant challenges, prompting Congress to bolster unmanned aircraft’s use for tracking and battling forest blazes.

New directives embedded in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bills from both the House and Senate look to propel the agency to devise strategies for broader drone usage. These provisions also aim to make federal lands accessible for testing, a move welcomed by drone supporters who believe it could provide invaluable insights for Firefighters without endangering lives on the front lines.

“Having received firsthand accounts from wildland firefighters and local governments about the necessity for improved aerial coordination in Wildfire detection, prevention, and suppression, it’s clear that the emergent technology of drones holds…