These are now very common in many countries, giving commanders a previously unheard of three dimensional understanding of a variety of incidents. Not least among their capabilities is the provision of infra red cameras to actually locate where burning is happening. Most studies show that only between 5% and 10% of the water used at an average fire actually goes towards extinguishing it, so understanding what is happening at large smokey fires can be very helpful. While drones are usually either transported in their own vans, like this example, or in command vehicles, it is beginning to be the case that a drone is often carried on one of the first due pumpers in some places.
Added by Rob Johnson on 12 July 2025.