Aspen Fire Crews Train with New Firefighting Drones

Fire crews in Aspen, Colorado, are undergoing training to operate new drones introduced by manufacturer Seneca. These drones are capable of carrying and dispensing fire-suppressing foam.

The training exercise unfolded on an uncommon overcast summer day. Red-and-white fire trucks dotted a grassy area in the western Colorado mountains. A persistent buzzing sound echoed as several firefighters from the Aspen Fire Protection District gathered around an iPad. They observed a fellow firefighter proficiently control a sizable drone.

This groundbreaking machine resembles a large insect, equipped with propellers on four elongated arms. The drone measures approximately 10 by 12 feet, akin to a small U-Haul trailer. Firefighters have utilized drones for wildfire monitoring over the years, but this novel model, potentially using AI, has the capability to aid in extinguishing fires.

One of Seneca’s drones hovered over private land near Aspen on August 24, 2026. When training concludes, the Aspen Fire Protection District will become the first in the nation to independently operate these drones.

Innovative Approach to Firefighting

Seneca, a company based in California, developed these drones to function collaboratively. Similar to a small fire engine, a set of five drones can carry between 500 to 1,000 gallons of fire-suppressant foam. Aspen firefighters reported that operating these drones was straightforward. Deputy Chief Andy Fisher remarked, “We joked that even my 12-year-old could fly these.”

Aspen Fire aims to launch the drone program next year, becoming the first globally to independently operate the drones. Until now, Seneca staff supported their use, primarily in prescribed burns across California.

During a training session, a Seneca drone released water outside Aspen on August 24, 2026. Fisher envisages deploying these drones for inaccessible fires, like those from remote lightning strikes, ahead of firefighters. Aspen, a city nestled in costly real estate, is encircled by dense forests. Fisher emphasized the importance of quick action: “If we could act swiftly while they’re smoldering, before winds spread them, that’s the most ideal situation,” he explained.

“If we could get it quick, keep them small and attack them while they’re smoldering instead of waiting for the wind to pick them up, I feel like that’s the most ideal use case.” – Andy Fisher
Deputy Chief of Aspen Fire

Technical Capabilities and Potential Impact

According to Stuart Landesberg, Seneca’s founder, the drones can traverse challenging terrains quickly. Their operational range spans 5 to 10 miles, doubling when unladen. Positioned over a fire, they employ an AI-driven “sensor suite,” computing distance and wind speed to release retardant or water at precise angles and speeds.

Landesberg noted that while drones won’t supplant air tankers for substantial fires, they offer tools, ongoing fire monitoring, and aid in extinguishing residual hotspots. Compared to helicopters, they promise cost-effective aerial firefighting. “We can be the next best thing at a fraction of the cost,” he asserted.

The Aspen Fire anticipates spending approximately $2.5 million over five years, supported by private donors. As other departments contemplate this experimental technology, they monitor Aspen’s results.

Expert Opinions and Future Prospects

Joe Stutler, a veteran firefighter with six decades of experience, expressed enthusiasm for the drones’ potential to fight fires during times when traditional aircraft are grounded. “Many wildland firefighters have perished in aviation accidents,” Stutler observed. “These drones could lessen the risk for those operating helicopters and tankers.”

Despite his optimism, Stutler remains cautious. Seneca’s drones have not yet demonstrated efficacy in actual wildfires. He stated, “Making a claim is one thing, backing it up with data is another.” Yet, he would try them, though affirming the necessity of ground-based firefighters regardless of advancements.

Following FAA approval in late October, Aspen Fire plans to commence drone operations up to 200 feet within Pitkin County once training wraps up. However, regulations prohibit flying over densely populated areas, and drones require continuous visual oversight. If effective, Aspen Fire plans to extend its waiver to tackle more state-wide fires.