BINGEN – Local drone maker Insitu has officially landed a contract with the U.S. Department of Interior to help fight wildfires across the country.
The Bingen-headquartered company will fly drones around the contiguous U.S. to assist in fire suppression, search and rescue missions, emergency management and other activities.
The contract could be worth $17 million potentially, according to UAS Magazine. Three other companies that make unmanned aerial systems were awarded similar contracts.
Insitu already has a history of helping in emergencies. Its drones helped map the scope of the 50,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge last year. It also recently won a $117 million contract to help the U.S. Coast Guard patrol the seas.
