SALEM, Ore.-Drones could soon join the fight against wildfires in Oregon.
The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Yamaha Motor Corporation on August 14, to study the company’s FAZER SAR unmanned helicopter for firefighting across the state.
The Yamaha FAZER SAR is a medium-lift unmanned helicopter platform capable of carrying payloads, performing complex aerial maneuvers, and operating under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exemptions for specialized missions, according to an ODAV press release.
“This is a forward-looking collaboration to understand how aviation technology—especially uncrewed systems—can augment our wildfire response toolkit,” said Kenji Sugahara, Director of the Oregon Department of Aviation.
Due to the intensity and unpredictable nature of wildfires, flexible and scalable firefighting tools, such as uncrewed aircraft, are increasingly urgent, according to ODAV, and the MOU represents a commitment to innovation in fighting Oregon’s wildfires.
ODAV and Yamaha will study the use of the FAZER SAR helicopter to conduct targeted missions to help suppress wildfires during their earliest and most critical stages, especially in remote or high-risk areas of Oregon.
Operational use of the FAZER SAR, regulatory guidelines, payload integration, and coordination with emergency response partners will all be explored under the MOU.
“While this MOU does not grant exclusivity or authorize operational deployment, it opens the door to collaborative testing, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory coordination,” said Sugahara.
Phase 1 of the study, planned for 2026, dependent on funding, is fairly limited in scope and is confined to one airport, however, Phase 2 could see expansion into other parts of the state.
The ODAV is completing its strategic plan that could see the program expand into the Gorge/Pendleton areas under Phase 2, slated to begin in 2027-28, according to Sugahara.
The ODAV also announced an MOU with SiFly, the makers of long-endurance drones, on August 14, that will explore the use of drones for wildfire inspection, public safety support, and medical drone delivery across Oregon.
The MOU with SiFly is effective for one year and allows for an assessment of the feasibility of deployment of SiFly’s Q12 and Q250 aircraft in real-world wildfire situations in Oregon.
“Oregon continues to face escalating threats from wildfires and persistent challenges in accessing healthcare in rural areas,” said Sugahara.
The Q250 is a heavy-lift drone that can transport payloads weighing 200 pounds, with 100 minutes of run time, and could be used as a replacement for helicopter operations during wildfires, according to an ODAV press release.
The Q12 drone is capable of hovering continuously for two hours or flying for three hours, while carrying a 10-pound payload.
