Japan Utilizes Drones for Nighttime Mapping of Wildfires

Japan Utilizes Drones for Nighttime Wildfire Mapping

In response to a wildfire that erupted on Mount Ogi in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, drones were deployed to assist firefighting efforts during nighttime hours when ground crews were unable to operate. Blue Innovation Co., Ltd. conducted aerial imaging flights over the affected area, providing critical data between sunset and the following morning’s helicopter operations.

A Fire on Steep Terrain

The Mount Ogi fire ignited on January 8, 2026, near Uenohara City, rapidly spreading across steep, mountainous terrain that posed challenges for ground-based firefighting crews. Helicopter water drops were limited to daylight hours, leading to the evacuation of approximately 150 residents.

Following a request from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Army, facilitated by the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association, Blue Innovation mobilized to the site on January 9. The drone team collaborated with the Uenohara Fire Department, local fire brigades, and police to gather information while helicopters were grounded after dark.

Drone Operations and Data Collection

The nighttime drone flights served two main purposes:

• Capturing aerial footage of the burn area to identify active fire points not visible from the ground.
• Plotting GPS coordinates of confirmed fire points onto a disaster map, providing commanders with real-time insights into the fire’s spread and damage.

This data was crucial for informing firefighting teams and guiding helicopter operations the next day. Without the drone flights, crews would have lacked visibility into the fire’s developments overnight.

Blue Innovation refrained from commenting on the specific impacts of their support while firefighting operations were ongoing, emphasizing the importance of their mission.

Drone Specifications and Capabilities

While Blue Innovation did not disclose the specific drone model used during the Mount Ogi operation, their Blue Earth Platform is designed to integrate various aircraft, robots, and sensors. Visual evidence suggests that a customized version of the DJI Matrice 300 RTK may have been employed, which is well-suited for the mission’s requirements.

If the aircraft was indeed a Matrice 300 RTK, it would have provided approximately 55 minutes of flight time and the capability to carry multiple payload configurations, including thermal and optical zoom gimbals, essential for nighttime operations in mountainous terrain.

For the mission, a thermal-optical hybrid gimbal, such as the Zenmuse H20T, would likely have been used to provide simultaneous thermal and visual feeds, aiding in precise GPS coordinate logging.

Blue Innovation’s Experience in Disaster Response

This operation was not Blue Innovation’s first engagement in disaster response. The company previously deployed drones following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake for bridge inspections and monitoring sediment dams. Their experience in integrating multiple sensors and flight data streams in complex emergency environments was evident during the Mount Ogi operation.

The successful deployment of drones on the same day as the request highlights the operational readiness of Blue Innovation and the effective coordination provided by JUIDA for civilian-military drone integration in Japan.

Conclusion

The Mount Ogi incident illustrates the practical application of drones in disaster response, emphasizing the importance of timely data collection and coordination. While the technology may not be groundbreaking, the ability to operate effectively in challenging conditions demonstrates the value of drones in enhancing firefighting efforts. Japan’s established civilian-military drone dispatch system serves as a model for other regions still developing similar capabilities.

Photo credit: BLUE Innovation, Kyodo.