Wildfire

News, deep dives, and analysis — every Wildfire story, newest first.

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Aug 20

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Skydio

PG&E Showcases Drone Technology for Electrical Inspections Ahead of National Drone Safety Day

In a strategic demonstration in Bakersfield, California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) highlighted its advanced drone technology for inspecting electrical infrastructure, timed to precede National Drone Safety Day on April 26, 2025. KBAK/KBFX reported that the utility aims to enhance public awareness of its drone operations while addressing privacy concerns, positioning its program as…

Haye KestelooApr 24

Skydio

Self-Charging Drones to Monitor Power Lines: University of Washington Students Win $15,000 Prize

University of Washington (UW) students developed an innovative solution to enhance energy grid reliability using self-charging drones designed to

Haye KestelooApr 7

Search & Rescue

Rogue Drone Blocks Emergency Chopper in Child Rescue Drama

A medical helicopter rescue operation in Orangefield, Texas was impeded by a rogue drone, delaying emergency transport for a three-year-old drowning victim, according to Orange County EDS #2 Assistant Fire Chief Joshua Taylor. The incident occurred around 4:20 PM Sunday when the medical helicopter attempted to land in a field near Chimney Rock Drive to…

Haye KestelooFeb 13

This is DJI's latest enterprise flagship, the Matrice 4T, and it comes with four different cameras: a wide-angle camera, a 3× optical zoom, a 7× optical zoom, and a thermal camera for nighttime operations,

DJI

DJI Matrice 4T Review – $7,000 Drone That Saves Lives!

This is DJI's enterprise flagship, the Matrice 4T, and it comes with four different cameras: a wide-angle camera, a 3× optical zoom, a 7× optical zoom

Mikhail SvilanovFeb 7

Aloft

Drone Pilot Charged, Unusual Machines Aquires Aloft, PhillyDroneLife Update, More State Drone Bills

Welcome to your Weekly UAS News update. We have four stories for you this week: a drone operator charged for hitting the Super Scooper, Unusual Machine to acquire Aloft, a YouTuber’s plea deal, and numerous new drone bills in state legislatures. Let’s dive in. Drone Operator Charged for Hitting Super Scooper Peter Tripp Akemann of…

Greg ReverdiauFeb 7

FAA

Drone Operator Faces Charges After Super Scooper Collision

A 56-year-old Culver City resident has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges after his drone struck and damaged a firefighting aircraft during the recent Palisades Fire. The incident resulted in temporary grounding of critical firefighting operations and substantial damage to the aircraft. Peter Tripp Akemann, will plead guilty to unsafe operation of an unmanned…

Haye KestelooJan 31

NASA

NASA Tests New Portable Drone Management System for Wildfire Response

NASA has completed testing of a new drone airspace management system designed to enhance wildfire response operations. The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) project, in collaboration with AirSpace Integration (ASI), evaluated the Portable Airspace Management System (PAMS) at Monterey Bay Academy Airport in La Selva Beach, California during November 2024. Technical Inn

Haye KestelooJan 31

FAA

FBI Intensifies Investigation of Drone Collision with Firefighting Aircraft as Palisades Fire Claims Celebrity Homes

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has escalated its investigation into a serious drone incident that occurred during firefighting operations at the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, with agents now canvassing high-profile neighborhoods for evidence. The collision between an unauthorized civilian drone and a firefighting aircraft marks a significant escalation in the ongoing challenges of…

Haye KestelooJan 15

Wildfire

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