Drones to Detect Wildfires in Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's Environmental Protection Organization (IEPO) were given four Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAVs) for detecting wildfires before they spread.
Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Affairs Sorena Sattari said on Tuesday that the drones will be employed to monitor the forests for fire alarms.
With high flight endurance, the drones can report fires at the early stages when they are easy to control, he explained.
Sattari also added that the local experts have transformed a plane into one suitable for aerial firefighting that is capable of carrying a payload of 20 tons of fire extinguisher.
The aircraft will come into service until November 21 to combat wildfires in the areas that are difficult for firefighters to access.
Wildfires are not rare in Iran, particularly in the Zagros mountainous forests west of the country, largely occupied by oak trees.
Last week, a wildfire laid waste to around 40 hectares of forests in the province of Ilam. The fire was put out with the help of local people.
