USA: Firefighting drones set to make wildfire prevention safer

By Matthew Trask

Drone Amplified, a business born out of Nebraska University, has developed a new drone system called Ignis that allows firefighters to start small, prescribed fires to burn away potentially dangerous vegetation preventing future forest fires.

[…]

Alongside the payload delivery system, Ignis comes with a thermal imaging camera allowing emergency services to work at night, an option not available during manned helicopter flights over fires.

[…]

The system is also accompanied by an app that allows operators to automate tasks such as flight duration, altitude and payload delivery locations.

[…]

“Our software adds autonomy and mission planning, allowing users to set it all up and press ‘go.’” [Evan Beachly, Chief App Developer]