A thermal drone aids firefighters battling an apartment fire in Boulder, CO

A assisted the Boulder Fire and Rescue (BFR) crews that were battling an apartment fire that started Friday morning early.

Around 4:53 a.m., flames were seen coming out of the apartment building at 2880 Kalmia Ave., which is near 28th Street and Diagonal Highway in Boulder. Everyone was able to be safely evacuated, according to BPD, and no one was hurt.

The drone team was able to quickly identify the source of the fire, which was on the upper floor, and relay that information to the . This allowed them to focus their efforts on that area and put out the fire more quickly.

According to authorities, 24 units were damaged in the fire. Although the cause is unknown, it is thought to have started on the upper floor and then spread rapidly through the attic. Both a sprinkler system and smoke alarms went off, said.

The thermal data from the drone was also useful in identifying any hot spots where the fire may have been still burning. This helped to make sure that the fire was completely extinguished and prevented it from reigniting.

BFR’s drone team assisted BPD in the aftermath by providing an aerial perspective with thermal data and photographs.

The use of drones in this incident demonstrated how they can be a valuable tool for firefighters, assisting them in both locating the source of the fire and ensuring that it is completely extinguished.

The Red Cross, reportedly, is assisting those who have been affected by the fire.

You can read more stories in which drones have been used for good right here on DroneXL.

Thermal drone aids firefighters

A Thermal Drone Aids Firefighters Battling An Apartment Fire In Boulder, Co
A Thermal Drone Aids Firefighters Battling An Apartment Fire In Boulder, Co
A Thermal Drone Aids Firefighters Battling An Apartment Fire In Boulder, Co

Let us know what you think about the use of thermal drones by fire and police departments around the country. Do you think they are being used enough or are they not nearly used enough? Let us know in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of BFR and BPD.

A Thermal Drone Aids Firefighters Battling An Apartment Fire In Boulder, Co 1

Get your Part 107 Certificate

Pass the 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.

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.

Stay in touch!

If you’d like to stay up to date with all the latest drone news, scoops, rumors, and reviews follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or… Subscribe to our Daily Drone News email.*


Discover more from DroneXL.co

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

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.

Drone Advocacy Alliance
TAKE ACTION NOW
Follow us on Google News!

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.

pilot institute dronexl

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.

Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

Articles: 4807

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

en_USEnglish