The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) is significantly increasing its use of drone technology to monitor the Rio Grande Bosque, a move prompted by a recent surge in suspicious fires and ongoing extreme heat conditions that have escalated fire risk across the city.
During a press conference held Tuesday, Mayor Tim Keller and APD Chief Harold Medina explained the role drones are now playing in safeguarding Albuquerque’s vital open space. This initiative follows a period earlier this month where the Bosque experienced three consecutive days of fires, which investigators believe were intentionally set. APD’s rapid response efforts led to an arrest in connection with one of these incidents.
“We’ve experienced record heat this season, and that’s a dangerous combination when it comes to fire conditions in the Bosque,” Keller said. “We’re using every tool available to prevent future fires, combat criminal activity and if a fire does pop up, we have the capabilities to detect that and respond rapidly.”…