Colorado firefighters use drone-deployed dragon eggs against wildfires
Firefighters in Colorado use drone-deployed dragon eggs against wildfires. These ping-pong sized balls have been used to help contain the Grizzly Creek Fire outside Glennwood Springs.
Colorado firefighters use drone-deployed dragon eggs against wildfires
The drone-deployed dragon eggs are small spheres that start small fires when they hit the ground, igniting fires that will use up the wildfire’s fuel.
“It takes about 20 to 30 seconds for this reaction to take place and that’s about the time it takes for the ball to hit the ground and settle into place and start this kind of ignition that we have,” Kelly Boyd, Unaweep wildland fire unit leader, and drone operator, told KDVR.
The drone-deployed dragon eggs have recently been used in the fight against the Grizzly Creek Fire that started on August 10 and that burned more than 32,000 acres east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The fire is now 75% contained and more than 550 firefighters have been involved in controlling the wildfire.
“We will drop roughly about 200 at the high ridgelines, and then we will sit and see what it does,” Boyd told KDVR.
For the safety of teams and the community, Boyd asks the public to avoid using their drones over any wildfire operations.
“If we have the public flying their drones we don’t know who they are and where we are going so we have to shut down operations until we can confirm there’s no more unknown drones out there,” Boyd said, adding “We already have a tough time with aviation and loss and life and fatality so we don’t want any undue harm to our pilots out there.”
DroneXL’s take on fighting fire with drones
Recently, we reported how Trump’s ban on drones with Chinese-made parts has increased the risk of wildfires in the United States. Meanwhile, stories like this one show how valuable drones can be in the fight against these raging wildfires.
Stay in touch!
If you’d like to stay up to date with all the latest drone news, scoops, rumors, and reviews, then follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or…
Subscribe to our Daily Drone News email.*
Submit tips If you have information or tips that you would like to share with us, feel free to submit them here. Support DroneXL.co: You can support DroneXL.co by using these links when you make your next drone purchase: Adorama, Amazon, B&H, BestBuy, eBay, DJI, Parrot, and Yuneec. We make a small commission when you do so at no additional expense to you. Thank you for helping DroneXL grow! FTC: DroneXL.co uses affiliate links that generate income.
* We do not sell, share, rent out or spam your email, ever. Our email goes out on weekdays around 5:30 p.m.
Discover more from DroneXL.co
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Check out our Classic Line of T-Shirts, Polos, Hoodies and more in our new store today!
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Proposed legislation threatens your ability to use drones for fun, work, and safety. The Drone Advocacy Alliance is fighting to ensure your voice is heard in these critical policy discussions.Join us and tell your elected officials to protect your right to fly.
Get your Part 107 Certificate
Pass the Part 107 test and take to the skies with the Pilot Institute. We have helped thousands of people become airplane and commercial drone pilots. Our courses are designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and achieve your dreams.
Copyright © DroneXL.co 2025. All rights reserved. The content, images, and intellectual property on this website are protected by copyright law. Reproduction or distribution of any material without prior written permission from DroneXL.co is strictly prohibited. For permissions and inquiries, please contact us first. DroneXL.co is a proud partner of the Drone Advocacy Alliance. Be sure to check out DroneXL's sister site, EVXL.co, for all the latest news on electric vehicles.
FTC: DroneXL.co is an Amazon Associate and uses affiliate links that can generate income from qualifying purchases. We do not sell, share, rent out, or spam your email.
