İzmir Fire Department Deploys AI‑Powered Drone for Faster Fire Response

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department has introduced an AI‑assisted DJI Matrice 4T drone for fire‑fighting and search‑and‑rescue operations. Equipped with a thermal camera, high‑resolution optics and a 4G‑enabled modem, the drone streams live video and positional data to the command centre, allowing crews to pinpoint hot spots, assess wind direction and identify risks to nearby settlements.

The system can operate up to 1 hour continuously, reach altitudes of 1,600 m and cover distances of 8–10 km from its base. Real‑time laser measurements and AI analysis help direct firefighters to the safest and most effective intervention points, reducing response time and improving crew safety. Fire Department Deputy Director Haldun Engin noted that the drone’s capabilities were shaped by lessons learned from last year's forest and rural fires in the region.

The technology aims to enhance coordination, enable early cooling of re‑ignition zones and support safer evacuations during high‑intensity incidents.