HONOLULU (KHON2) — With wildfire risks growing across the islands, Honolulu firefighters are deploying new technology in the sky.
Drones are now helping them spot danger faster, including during the recent Kunia wildfires.
When fires erupted in Kunia this summer, Honolulu firefighting crews responded with a whole new view.
HFD started deploying drones several years ago, but with more frequent wildfires fueled by drought and arson, technology is playing a bigger role than ever before.
“They provide that key information to the incident commander, gives them information on that flow path, where it’s headed, and allows them to make those critical decisions, as far as resource allocation, where they’re going to go ahead and put people on the ground,” said Mike Mendez, Honolulu Firefighter III and UAS Program Lead.
Thermal imaging allows firefighters to scan large burn zones quickly and relay information in real time.
“It can accurately see almost 1,000 feet away. So it can pinpoint through the smoke exactly where the flames are off, where the fire path is moving,” said Mendez.
HFD says everything is password-encrypted. “It’s not shared outside of those key needed players like the incident commander, we don’t archive anything like that, and we don’t fly over homes or look at homes or anything like that. We’re simply using it for the situational awareness,” said Mendez.
And they’re not just being used for surveillance. In an evacuation, loudspeakers can help with reaching people quickly.
But technology isn’t without limits. Drone batteries only last about 30 minutes. High winds can keep them grounded, and the department is tackling the rise of civilian drones.
“I know that the general public loves to fly at emergency incidents. They’re great footage. They look good, they’re fun. But unfortunately, when you fly into our scenes, it grounds our helicopters, our manned helicopters cannot fly in the same airspace, make those essential water drops or persons rescues. So we ask the general public, please stay out of the area,” said Mendez.
Honolulu firefighters, drones won’t replace helicopters or boots on the ground, but they are becoming one of the department’s most valuable tools in fighting fires and protecting people before the next big blaze.
Amongst first responders, HFD has the biggest drone program in the state with 10 drones and 26 pilots as part of its program. Looking ahead, the fire department is exploring larger, longer-lasting drones with better technology and expanding the program.