U.S. Forest Service fleet of giant super drones helps protect California wilderness

The region logged 546 UAS flight hours in 2023, more than double the 244 hours in 2022.Photo byUSFS

The U.S. Forest Service has significantly expanded its use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, to monitor wildfires, conduct forest surveys, and assess environmental conditions. These drones provide a cost-effective way to gather data and monitor remote or hazardous areas, according to the USFS.

In 2018, the agency hired its first national UAS Program Manager, and by 2020, the Pacific Southwest Region onboarded two UAS Aviation Management Specialists to implement its Strategic Mission Strategy. The region logged 546 UAS flight hours in 2023, more than double the 244 hours in 2022, the USFS stated.

In 2024, operations expanded further with three full-time UAS Aviation Management Specialists and 52 UAS collateral duty pilots, all certified at least to Part 107 standards. Specialized drones, including models like the Freefly Systems Alta X and Vision Aerial SwitchBlade, support various missions such as wildfire management, storm damage assessment, and watershed health, the USFS stated.