VIDEO: The Monroe Fire Department said Monday crews responded to a report of heavy smoke, utilizing a drone to locate the source in a backyard where residents were burning leaves.
The fire department received a call about heavy smoke within city limits on Saturday. A ground search was initially unsuccessful in identifying the smoke source, prompting the deployment of a drone equipped with a thermal camera.
Upon investigation, crews discovered multiple smoldering piles of leaves behind a privacy fence.
The droneโs thermal imaging allowed firefighters to quickly pinpoint the source of the smoke, leading to a rapid response.
Capt. Adam Rorie flies the drone for the Monroe Fire Department.
โIf you look in the pictures, you can actually see where we circled the hot spots and we are able to look at our maps to direct our crews to the address,โ Rorie said.
Rorie said they found small smoldering fires of leaves in a backyard.
โJust with the flying embers, it could light something else in the neighborhood,โ Rorie said.
The drone doesnโt just help in small fires.
