Drones could help fight invasive species, wildfires
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Drones could be deployed in state efforts to manage invasive species and address wildfire threats, under a proposal unanimously approved Wednesday by the House. โCurrently, in the state of Florida we are facing an epidemic of invasive species destroying our local ecosystems, including the Everglades,โ said bill sponsor Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville. Law enforcement is also prohibited, with certain exceptions, from using drones to gather evidence or other information. Fischerโs proposal would allow the Florida Forest Service to use drones to mitigate the threat of wildfires on public lands. โDrones may be a more cost-effective way and more efficient way than current practices,โ Fischer said.