The Tenerife Cabildo have informed that, during the outbreak of fire that affected two hectares of dry land in Santiago del Teide on Thursday, the forestry commission used drones with thermographic cameras for the first time to successfully assess the progress and source of the fire.
"The tools for controlling and extinguishing forest fires can no longer be limited to a fleet of vehicles and people with hoses, we have to evolve and embrace new technologies that are available to assist us,” said Pedro Martin, president of the Cabildo.
“The Emergency Services have three new drones with two types of cameras, one traditional and the other thermographic, available to them, which will allow them to reach inaccessible areas, and even fly at night when a helicopter cannot do so for reconnaissance work," he stressed.
“This means that firefighters will be able to pinpoint hot spots and contain outbreaks and fires more effectively," he added.
Martin said that “In order to improve the capabilities of the islands firefighters, a continuous training program will be carried out, where firefighting techniques in large fires and actions in forest fires will be addressed, incorporating all the new technologies to make us stronger and more efficient.”
