New high-tech plane aims to find Oregon wildfires before they spread

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Nearly half of Oregon counties are now in emergency drought status as the state adds a high-tech tool to its firefighting arsenal.

The Oregon Department of Forestry says the new multi-mission aircraft could help crews find fires before they grow out of control.

The aircraft is packed with artificial intelligence, thermal imaging and night vision, and uses advanced mapping software to detect heat and track new fire starts.

When lightning strikes in remote parts of Oregon, officials say the race to find a fire begins immediately. The plane then flies in behind the storm, scanning the landscape for hot spots and early signs of fire.

“It’s a new tool in the toolbox to help us identify, detect and get firefighters to new fire starts around the state as quickly as possible,” said Kyle Williams, ODF’s deputy director of fire operations.

Williams said the aircraft can pick up heat from new fires even before flames are visible.

“And minutes matter. Seconds matter,” Williams said. “This plane is cutting those minutes and seconds down significantly.”

That information goes straight to crews on the ground, helping them prioritize the most dangerous fires.

Officials say rapid response is key to keeping new fires from spreading before they get out of control.

The aircraft replaces a plane that has been in service for more than 40 years and is part of a $13.23 million investment funded through state bonds and contributions from forest landowners.

Officials say the project has been in the works since 2018.

Fire officials add dry conditions are already developing in parts of the state, raising concerns about a challenging summer fire season.

“The fire starts that do happen are going to require rapid response,” Williams said. “This is going to help us with aggressive initial attack.”

Officials say the goal is simple — find fires fast, keep them small and protect Oregon communities before the next big fire takes off.