Drones Detect Hidden Fires Beneath Burned Landscapes
Thermal-imaging drones are being used to locate and extinguish smoldering hot spots that persist long after wildfires have visibly subsided, aiding in landscape recovery monitoring.
Even after the visible flames of a wildfire have been extinguished, dangerous hot spots can continue to burn beneath the earth. In the Cairngorms National Park, drone pilot Pete Short is leading patrols to find these hidden threats, working for nearly three months since a significant wildfire swept through the area in July.
Thermal drones equipped with specialized cameras can detect heat signatures invisible to the naked eye. During a recent patrol, Short spotted eight such locations. On one particular dawn patrol, a thermal drone identified a potential hot spot beneath a tree, which upon investigation and disturbance of the soil, revealed smoldering embers and smoke.
These drones are not only crucial for extinguishing residual fires but are also playing a role in monitoring the long-term recovery of the landscape. Conservationists are programming drones to fly predetermined routes over damaged areas repeatedly. This systematic approach allows for the collection of photographs and videos from the same positions over time, creating a detailed visual record of how the environment changes and recovers.
"This standard drone route will have exactly the same route flown month by month, year by year and visually it's going to give us some amazing information about how it's recovering," said Sarah, a conservationist involved in the project. While the landscape will eventually recover, the full extent and timeline of this regrowth remain uncertain.
Furthermore, the technology is being explored for its potential to spot new fires in their nascent stages, potentially preventing them from escalating. Short believes that quickly gaining an aerial view above the tree canopy could be critical in early detection. "It's those moments before a wildfire gets out of control that could be critical to stopping it before it gets out of hand," he stated.
The ongoing efforts highlight the complex nature of wildfire aftermath, where visible flames may disappear, but the threat of burning embers can persist, requiring advanced technological solutions for effective management and recovery.