Firefighting drones that operate like wildfires have been plaguing the US for almost a year

Drones capable of spraying water and fire extinguishers have been trying to put out wildfires in early California and Alaska this summer – proving a useful tool for firefighters like global warming they turn the wildfire season into an almost year-round threat for much of the United States.

Most drones are much smaller than operational aircraft and have short ranges, meaning they cannot replace large airtanks for delivering large amounts of water or other fire-suppression payloads to remote fires. But companies and fire organizations—along with the organizers of the $11 million XPRIZE competition—are testing whether drones can help firefighters respond quickly to small fires and put them out before they do more damage.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as CAL FIRE, conducted an experiment involving five autonomous drones that worked together to deliver between 500 and 1,000 gallons of combined foam to extinguish fires on July 15, according to TV station KPMH. The show was organized with the help of California-based non-profit FireWERX Seneca companywhich is making drones commercial from 2026.

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