San Bernardino County to Deploy Autonomous Firefighting Drones With 500-Gallon Foam Payload

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has acquired a fleet of five autonomous drones from Seneca Systems to help battle wildfires before they spread. The package includes a mobile operations base and autonomy software, allowing one pilot to supervise the entire five-drone team. The drones are expected to enter service ahead of the 2027 wildfire season.

What the system includes

According to the announcement, the five-drone strike team can deliver over 500 gallons of finished firefighting foam to a target area. The drones can be launched from anywhere and are capable of reaching starting fires in under 10 minutes of detection. Their onboard sensor suite supports operations around the clock, including nighttime flights and hard-to-reach terrain.

Response goals

San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey has set a goal of stopping 90% of fires before they grow beyond 10 square feet. He said Seneca's aircraft provide autonomous rapid initial attack and could help crews reach high-risk parts of the county more quickly. San Bernardino is the largest county in California and the United States by land area, and California is prone to wildfires during spring, summer, and early fall. The county has two million residents, and the drones could help address localized fires before they become larger threats. One firefighter directing five units could also potentially free up other crews to respond to other incidents.

Broader context

Civilian first-responder agencies have used drones for years, and the Seneca deployment is described as one of the first instances of an AI-powered Seneca drone supporting such operations. Drones-as-First-Responder systems have grown more popular in the U.S., with startups such as BRINC and established companies such as Flock offering units to reduce 911 response times. Some states have also deployed 'Campus Guardian Angel' drones to help neutralize school shooters.

Sources: Tom's Hardware