A stark reality: North American wildfires have worsened in recent years, with climate change further exacerbating the situation and putting lives, property, nature, and wildlife at risk.

Drones have been a critical tool in combating wildfires for over a decade, with the expectation that the fleet will grow to 30,000 by next year. However, current high-altitude drones used are limited in their effectiveness due to their inability to fly low through smoke-filled areas.

Andrew Jong, a PhD student at Carnegie Mellon University, highlights the need for drones that can navigate through smoke and fly at lower altitudes to provide real-time mapping and escape routes for firefighters, while also identifying hazardous areas.

Researchers at CMU's Robotics Institute are developing drones equipped with this capability, drawing on their experience with the DARPA Subterranean Challenge to build a 3D digital twin of wildfire-affected areas quickly and accurately.

Former firefighter Josh Wilkins, who is involved in the project, emphasizes the importance of up-to-date information for firefighters, as outdated data can pose significant risks to their safety. He acknowledges the initial reluctance of some in the fire service to adopt new technologies but is optimistic that demonstrating the safety features and valuable data collection potential of the drones will sway their opinions.