VIDEO/PHOTOS: Just in time for fire season, local firefighters have a new tool to combat wildfires.
When a fire tore through 40 acres along the banks of the Virgin River in Washington City on May 9, firefighters knew exactly where the hot spots were, thanks to a collection of drones and technology from the Santa Clara-Ivins Fire and Rescue.
The drones provided overall visuals of visible light of the closest 100 structures threatened and also infrared images that showed the heat signatures of the warmest parts of the fire.
“As far as I’m told, we are the only agency in Utah doing this, but I know we are the only in Southern Utah,” Santa Clara-Ivins Fire and Rescue Division Chief Lance Haynie said.
While Haynie said the logistics of that work is in its early stages, it was implemented during the May 9 fire that was dubbed the Waters Edge Fire.