FUTURISTIC plans which will see drones detect wildfires before they even happen have been unveiled by a British fire service, writes Izzy Hawksworth.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have tested a swarm of self-coordinating drones at Cornwall’s Predannack airport, as part of an effort to develop cost-effective early mitigation strategies for wildfires.

The gadgets will incorporate thermal and optical imaging to automatically detect and investigate fires and then will relay the information to the fire and rescue service. The drones can then rapidly deploy fire retardant onto the fire, monitor the situation and return to base.

Justin Johnston, from the fire service, said: “The earlier we reach fires, the less harm they pose to firefighters, communities, infrastructure and the environment.

“We are proud and delighted to be part of this trial, the first of its kind in the world, and have a say in technology that could greatly reduce the risk of wildfires.”

The project has been organised by Windraces, who develop self-flying cargo and robotic scientists.

The week-long trial, which was based at Predannack, tested how well Windrace's ULTRA drones identified a number of small, controlled fires.

The gadgets have previously been used to carry parcels to the Orkney Islands and collect scientific data in Antarctica.