Cal Fire’s Drone Team Rises As A New Force In Emergency Response

Cal Fire’s San Benito Monterey Unit did not plan to become a state leader in drone operations, but a simple act of generosity changed everything, as a local photographer donated two drones back in 2021, and those small aircraft pushed the agency toward a future no one expected.

Battalion Chief Josh Silveira still laughs about that beginning, saying they did not even know how to take off, yet the unit now runs the most active unmanned aircraft program of its kind in California, with twelve pilots flying hundreds of hours each year and accounting for nearly half of all Cal Fire drone activity. The Monterrey Herald reported from San Benito.

Silveira was originally hesitant to get involved, mostly because the drones they had were ancient machines without thermal cameras, but once he attended training with Battalion Chief Tommy Headley, everything shifted, as both men returned determined to upgrade the fleet and integrate thermal technology into their operations. That decision turned out to be pivotal, and according to Silveira, it was off to the races from the moment the new gear arrived.

The program has grown with the support of several local districts, including Carmel Highlands, Cypress and Pebble Beach, which now fund most of the aircraft purchases. The annual budget sits around fifty thousand dollars, and that investment keeps the fleet running smoothly and safely.

A Fleet Built To Fight Fire And Save Lives From Above

The unit now operates nineteen aircraft, ranging from inexpensive consumer drones to five specialized platforms that cost one hundred thousand dollars each, and those machines act like flying Swiss Army knives, equipped with high zoom cameras, wide angle lenses, thermal imaging systems, aerial ignition tools and even cargo capabilities that reach eighty eight pounds. These features allow the team to support wildfire management, search and rescue missions, crowd safety and risk reduction for first responders.

Fire operations benefit enormously from this technology, since pilots can spot hot spots with thermal cameras and help crews position themselves more safely around an active fire. The drones also conduct detailed aerial mapping, which helps identify areas of heavy fuel, track changes before and after fires and plan future mitigation efforts, including recent surveys in the Del Monte Forest.

One of the most advanced tools in the program is aerial ignition, where drones drop small chemical spheres known as Dragon Eggs that ignite after a timed reaction between potassium permanganate and glycol. These controlled ignitions slow the spread of larger fires and allow firefighters to work from safer locations, especially in steep or inaccessible terrain. The team even hosts the National Aerial Ignition Academy, training specialists from across the country in this rapidly expanding field.

Search and rescue operations rely heavily on the fleet as well, since thermal signatures make lost hikers, disoriented residents or struggling swimmers stand out clearly against the environment. Several rescues at Soberanes Point and Big Sur demonstrate the power of these tools, and pilots regularly practice precision searches by tracking animals of different sizes with thermal cameras. Drones can also drop dye markers to study water drift, glow sticks to guide first responders to remote victims or small supply kits to stabilize someone until ground crews arrive.

Onboard speakers allow pilots to communicate directly with people in distress, asking them to wave if they are safe or hold still if they need help, which prevents unnecessary deployments and protects rescue swimmers who often enter dangerous areas without radios. Silveira says the reassurance of knowing the drone team is watching from above has become a critical safeguard for responders.

An Evolving Program With Growing Community Trust

Not everybody loves seeing drones overhead, and the team does receive calls from residents who worry about privacy, but Cal Fire only captures imagery when required for emergency operations, and anyone can request flight records to confirm whether a drone belonged to the agency. Transparency remains a key part of maintaining public trust as the program expands.

Looking ahead, Cal Fire hopes to increase daily pilot availability and continue experimenting with new technology, since drones are advancing quickly and opening new doors every year. Silveira says the team will keep pushing forward, always evolving and always finding new ways to support the community.

DroneXL’s Take

Cal Fire’s drone program shows how fast an agency can transform when the right people embrace new tools, and the mix of thermal imaging, aerial ignition and real time rescue support puts this unit at the leading edge of emergency response. As drones continue to grow more capable, expect programs like this to become standard across the country, especially in regions where wildfires, rugged terrain and coastal rescues demand faster and safer solutions from the sky.

Photo credit: Pyroshot, Stella Mayerhoff, Cal Fire.