GNR to deploy 28 drones to help detect wildfires this summer

Portugal’s National Republican Guard (GNR) plans to deploy 28 drones equipped with surveillance cameras this summer to help detect and monitor rural wildfires.

The unmanned aircraft will be available for use throughout the fire season whenever it is considered “justified,” the military police force told Lusa news agency.

The drones form part of a broader surveillance strategy aimed at improving the early detection of wildfires during what is expected to be another challenging summer.

The announcement comes as large parts of Portugal are already facing elevated fire danger, with authorities warning that wildfire risk is likely to intensify in the coming weeks as temperatures rise.

According to the GNR, the drones can be used in a range of territorial surveillance missions but play a particularly important role in forest protection and the early identification of rural fires.

Alongside the drone programme, the GNR is implementing a specific operational plan between June 1 and September 30 for areas affected by Storm Kristin in the Leiria region.

The storm caused significant damage to woodland in the area, increasing concerns about wildfire vulnerability.

However, the GNR said the additional measures in Leiria will focus primarily on increased ground patrols rather than drone operations.

The force’s wildfire detection capability also relies heavily on Portugal’s forest surveillance network, which forms part of the national Rural Fire Surveillance and Detection System.

The network currently consists of 147 remote monitoring towers equipped with surveillance cameras and operated by various public entities and partner organisations.

According to the GNR, these towers provide coverage of around seven million hectares across the country and are strategically positioned in areas considered most vulnerable to rural fires.

Locations were selected based on technical and operational criteria, with priority given to forested regions that have historically faced the highest levels of wildfire risk.

Source: LUSA

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.