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California county deploys autonomous firefighting drones with 500-gallon foam payload to attack wildfires

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California county deploys autonomous firefighting drones with 500-gallon foam payload to attack wildfires

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has just acquired a fleet of five autonomous drones that will allow it to battle wildfires before they become worse. According to a press release (via PR Newswire), the drones will be provided by Seneca Systems, which will deploy the drones and a mobile operations base. These units also come with autonomy software, allowing a single pilot to supervise the entire team, which is capable of delivering over 500 gallons of firefighting foam to a target area.

BREAKING: The largest county in America by land area is deploying autonomous drones to fight wildfires.@Seneca_Systems has secured a deal with San Bernardino County Fire to deploy five autonomous firefighting drones, a mobile operations base, and autonomy software designed to rapidly suppress newly detected wildfires before they spread.The five-drone strike team can deliver over 500 gallons of finished firefighting foam, with a single pilot supervising multiple aircraft. The system is designed for rapid response, including nighttime operations and difficult-to-access terrain.San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey has set an ambitious goal to stop 90% of fires before they grow beyond 10 square feet, with Seneca's autonomous rapid initial attack capabilities potentially playing a key role.The drones are expected to enter service ahead of the 2027 wildfire season.October 30, 2026

San Bernardino is the largest county in California and the United States by land area. Given the fact that the state is prone to wildfires, especially during spring, summer, and early fall, autonomous firefighting drones would help its firefighters cover more area and address localized fires before they become larger threats.


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