Oregon strengthens emergency response with advanced wildfire detection aircraft

The Oregon Department of Forestry has strengthened its emergency response capabilities with the purchase of a new $13.23 million Multi-Mission Aircraft. The Twin Otter airframe replaces the agency's Partenavia P.68 Observer, which is retiring after more than 30 years of service.

The investment was funded by $12 million in bonds approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2023 and $1.23 million from other sources. State Aviation Coordinator Sarah Prout said the new aircraft represents a "significant advancement" in how the state monitors and responds to incidents. The platform is designed for wildfire detection, real-time mapping and the movement of personnel and equipment.

The $7.8 million aircraft includes $5.4 million in integrated sensing technology and mission systems, turning the plane into an aerial intelligence platform. It is equipped with Artificial Intelligence-enabled wide-area mapping, high-definition thermal imaging and augmented reality mapping software. State Aviation Manager Neal Laugle said the new equipment allows the agency to detect fires earlier and provide critical intelligence to ground crews "when every minute matters."

During typical missions, crews will monitor weather forecasts and lightning activity. Lightning strike data is uploaded into the aircraft's planning tools so the plane can scan affected areas using onboard sensors. Laugle noted that the combination of advanced mission systems and night vision goggles allows crews to see visual cues that are impossible to see with the naked eye. "Paired with our onboard sensors, this significantly improves our ability to find and respond to fires at night," Laugle said.

The aircraft's capabilities extend beyond wildfire detection to include support for floods, severe storms, search and rescue operations and disaster assessments. It can live-stream video and generate mapping data to be shared across multiple agencies. State Aviation Coordinator Prout said this capability will improve coordination between local responders and incident management teams to ensure a "unified response during emergencies."

The Oregon Department of Forestry will base the aircraft at the Prineville Airport in central Oregon. Laugle said the location allows the plane to reach all corners of the state quickly. He also noted that lightning activity is typically more frequent in eastern and southern Oregon, making the Prineville base an operational advantage.

As wildfire seasons become more complex, Prout said the investment helps the state meet evolving challenges. "The MMA positions Oregon to better meet evolving challenges—by leveraging advanced technology and decades of operational experience to protect communities, natural resources and the landscapes that define the state," Prout said.

The Twin Otter is currently undergoing final integration and testing in California. Once delivered to Oregon, pilots and aerial observers will undergo several weeks of training to ensure the systems are operational for the upcoming fire season.