San Bernardino County to Deploy Autonomous Firefighting Drones Ahead of 2027 Wildfire Season

California's largest county by land area is turning to autonomous aircraft to combat its wildfire threat. The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has secured a deal with Seneca Systems to field five autonomous drones equipped with a mobile operations base and autonomy software, according to a press release distributed via PR Newswire. The system enables a single pilot to oversee multiple aircraft, each capable of dispensing more than 500 gallons of firefighting foam across a target zone.

San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Chief Dan Munsey articulated an aggressive objective for the program: "Our goal is to stop 90% of fires before they grow larger than 10 square feet." The five-drone team can launch from any location and reach ignition sites within ten minutes of detection. Equipped with onboard sensor arrays, the aircraft can operate continuously throughout the day and night, reaching areas that are difficult or dangerous for ground crews to access.

Munsey emphasized the operational advantages the technology brings to his department. "Seneca's aircraft give us a capability that has never before been possible: autonomous rapid initial attack. We've been working closely with Seneca for over a year to develop a system that meets our needs. This product will help us to get more quickly to parts of the County that are at the highest risk and help make those communities safer. It force-multiplies what our firefighters can do, and it keeps them safer while they do it."

The deployment addresses a critical challenge in a region prone to destructive fires during spring, summer, and early fall months. By allowing one operator to direct five units simultaneously, the system could free additional firefighting personnel to respond to other emergencies. The drones are scheduled to enter service before the 2027 wildfire season, protecting the county's approximately two million residents.

While emergency response agencies have incorporated drones into their operations for several years, this marks one of the first deployments of an AI-powered Seneca drone system in support of firefighting efforts. The broader trend of Drones-as-First-Responder (DFR) systems has gained momentum across the United States, with both emerging firms like BRINC and established players such as Flock providing equipment designed to reduce 911 response times. Some states have even deployed "Campus Guardian Angel" drones for school safety applications.