Aerial Forest Protection Service Plans to Use Drones for Cloud Seeding
Russia’s Avialesookhrana is preparing to deploy drones instead of aircraft to induce rainfall over active forest fires.
The method relies on dispersing silver iodide, a substance considered safe for the environment. The process works by forming ice crystals around silver particles, allowing snow mass to build up inside clouds, which then descends, melts, and falls as rain directly over the fire.
“In about a month, we will meet with scientists and developers to discuss replacing probe aircraft with unmanned aerial systems equipped with silver iodide dispersal units. The goal is to make the process as cost-effective and responsive as possible,” said Alexey Panov.
According to Panov, the method is especially effective in hard-to-reach areas when cloud cover is sufficient. Last year, the technology was successfully used in the Krasnoyarsk and Zabaykalsky regions, as well as in Buryatia and Tuva.
“Our professionals are well trained, and we have a very high success rate in directing precipitation specifically over fire zones,” he added. The method is typically used from June through mid-August.
