Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Drones Used to Assess L.A. Wildfire Damage, Look For Hot Spots

For the first time, the Los Angeles Fire Department used drones Thursday to help coordinate its battle against a pair of wildfires threatening homes in the city.

December 8, 2017
1 min to read


For the first time, the Los Angeles Fire Department used drones Thursday to help coordinate its battle against a pair of wildfires threatening homes in the city, reports the Los Angeles Daily News.

LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said early Thursday that drones will be used "for the first time ever," primarily to conduct property assessment as the agency surveys damage caused by the Creek fire near Sylmar and the Skirball fire in the Bel-Air and Sepulveda Pass.

Ad Loading...

"We also can look for hotspots," Terrazas said. "The drone will fly over, locate hotspots, and then we'll dispatch our firefighters to get final extinguishment in that area. So we're very, very proud of that new technology."

LAFD Public Information Officer Peter Sanders said Thursday evening that fire personnel flew two UAVs for 30 minutes into a canyon from the north end of Moraga.

"It was the first time we used them in a real scenario. We did aerial damage assessments and found some hot spots," Sanders said.

The operation was highly coordinated by the department to avoid becoming a threat to water-dropping helicopters.

More Technology

Close-up of a person holding an Axis body-worn camera toward the viewer. The camera is in sharp focus, while the person wearing a dark uniform appears blurred in the background outdoors.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

Case Study Details Integration of Body-Worn Cameras with CAD

The Billerica Police Department (Massachusetts) improved transparency and accountability, sharpened evidence management, and reduced manual hours by integrating Axis body-worn cameras with its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

Read More →
Dark map of downtown Chicago displaying three emergency alerts for reported gunfire near Randolph Street, W Harrison Street, and N Columbus Drive. Blue circular markers indicate locations near Union Park, Clark Art Museum, and Jack Academy High School.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

ZeroEyes Public Safety Alerts Integrates Samdesk for Real-Time Risk Detection and Awareness

ZeroEyes has integrated Samdesk into its Public Safety Alerts platform to deliver faster, verified intelligence to help organizations understand emerging risks and respond quickly.

Read More →
High-angle view of cars with lights turned on crossing the George Washington Bridge at dusk.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

NJ Police Department Combines Strong Technology & Public Safety Strategy

The Fort Lee Police Department in New Jersey has modernized with Genetec Security Center, including video management, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and Clearance digital evidence management.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with image of crime scene investigator and yellow evidence markers and black box covering the persons idenity and headline Automated Redaction.
TechnologyApril 30, 2026

Pimloc & Dynamic Workflow Solutions Partner to Deliver Data Management and Automated Redaction

The joint redaction solution from Pimloc and Dynamic Workflow Solutions helps agencies reduce FOIA response time and compliance risk by automatically redacting faces, license plates, and other sensitive information from digital evidence.

Read More →
Fans cheer at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium during a football game at The University of Alabama.
TechnologyApril 23, 2026

The University of Alabama Rolls Out Couter-Drone Technology

The University of Alabama is using D-Fend Solutions as a counter-drone technology supplier for campus and game-day airspace security. The University integrates D-Fend’s EnforceAir into its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), utilizing a unified command framework to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners during major events.

Read More →
Man working in front of multiple computer screens.
TechnologyApril 22, 2026

Motorola Solutions Now Part of the Cyber Threat Alliance

Motorola Solutions is now part of the Cyber Threat Alliance, the first formally organized nonprofit group of cybersecurity practitioners that work together in good faith to share threat information and improve global defenses against advanced cyber adversaries.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bar chart showing what police departments spend budget on for security.
TechnologyApril 22, 2026

Genetec 2026 State of Physical Security Report Reveals Public Safety Priorities & Challenges

Survey results from Genetec’s 2026 State of Physical Security Report highlight the demand for integrated systems that improve response times and reduce investigative workload. Nearly nine in 10 respondents said they use security data to help keep officers safe.

Read More →
Tinted blue background image of traffic with inset images for an ALPR camera, a police dispatcher, and a logo for Flock Safety.
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Flock Safety Introduces Audit Assistance, Its Latest Trust & Compliance Tool

Audit Assistance is the latest tool in the Flock Trust & Compliance suite, a first-of-its-kind set of products and services that provides communities with guardrails and customization for accountability, transparency, and responsible use of the Flock platform.

Read More →
image of one closed laptop and one open laptop with Toughbook logo on screen, all against a blue gradient background
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Panasonic Connect Launches the Toughbook 56

The Toughbook 56, the latest rugged laptop from Panasonic Connect, delivers enhanced performance, refined design, new levels of security, and power-efficient workflows in demanding environments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collection of traffic control signs against a city backdrop and logos for Radarsign and Sourcewell.
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Radarsign Awarded Sourcewell Contract Expanding Access to Traffic Safety Solutions

Radarsign’s traffic safety portfolio, including radar speed signs, flashing beacon systems, and more, are now available through Sourcewell purchasing contracts.

Read More →