A path has been cleared to use advanced drones to fill the initial 30-minute golden time before large firefighting helicopters arrive, as well as to address gaps in firefighting capabilities during nighttime hours when helicopter deployment is difficult.

According to the Korea Forest Service on Monday (July 6), the project titled "Demonstration of Swarm Drone Operations for Emergency Response to Large Wildfires" was officially selected on July 2 as part of the "2026 First Half Planned Regulatory Sandbox 2nd Tasks" overseen by the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

Following the massive wildfires in the Yeongnam region last year, the Korea Forest Service has been conducting research on the development and operation of swarm drones to innovate its wildfire response system.

This technology involves a phased operation of drones: "surveillance drones" that detect wildfires early using thermal imaging cameras and artificial intelligence, "analysis drones" that monitor and predict the spread of flames, and "firefighting drones" that directly spray 100 kg of extinguishing agents.

Forestry authorities explained that this is considered a key strategy to overcome the gaps and limitations that occur before helicopters can be deployed in the early stages of a wildfire.

Previously, large firefighting drones weighing nearly 400 kg, including the extinguishing agent, were classified as unmanned aircraft under the Aviation Safety Act. As a result, they were subject to strict regulations, such as the requirement to obtain prior approval seven days before flight and a ban on nighttime operations.

However, with this regulatory sandbox designation, the Korea Forest Service will be exempt from these regulations during the research and development and subsequent demonstration periods.

"To respond rapidly to large, unpredictable wildfires, our systems must be innovated with as much flexibility as our technological advancements," said Park Eun-sik, Minister of the Korea Forest Service. "We will verify this advanced swarm drone technology in the field and take South Korea's wildfire response system to the next level."
(Photo: Provided by Korea Forest Service, Yonhap News)