Florida State Guard Aerial Surveillance Strengthens Wildfire Response Across North Florida
- FSG Media
- May 13
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 20, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
FSG Press Office
Tallahassee, Fla.—As record drought conditions continue to impact Florida and much of the southern United States, the Florida State Guard (FSG) stands ready to support wildfire response efforts that protect lives, property, and communities.
As wildfire activity across the state evolves, FSG aviation assets, both manned and
unmanned, have maintained a steady aerial presence to enhance situational awareness for
firefighting operations. Fixed-wing and rotary-wing crews conduct wide-area surveillance
missions, providing incident commanders with real-time intelligence that supports faster,
more informed decision-making. This capability reflects the continued advancement of wildfire response technology in Florida, improving coordination and operational effectiveness compared to past wildfire seasons.
One recent example came in late March, when the Mossy Pond wildfire ignited in Calhoun
County amid ongoing drought conditions. The fire quickly spread across hundreds of acres
near the Mossy Pond Lake area of Blountstown, prompting a multi-agency response and
support services for affected residents. More than 40 people were displaced as the fire grew
to approximately 600 acres.
During the Mossy Pond wildfire, FSG’s Unmanned Aviation Squadron (UAS) conducted aerial
monitoring to support containment efforts. Drone crews assessed fire lines, monitored for
residual heat and potential re-ignition, and provided timely intelligence to Calhoun County
Emergency Management partners. UAS’ mapping also provided damage assessments for
post-fire reconstruction.
More recently, these same aerial surveillance capabilities were deployed to support response
efforts to the Railroad Fire impacting Clay and Putnam Counties. The incident began as two
separate fires that ignited in April 2026 near the county line; the first in southern Clay County
was likely sparked by a passing train (giving the fire its name), and another in neighboring
Putnam County later that same day.
Under dry conditions, the fires rapidly expanded and merged by April 20, forming a single
large wildfire that has since burned more than 4,400 acres. FSG Aviation Response Squadron (ARS) and UAS crews conducted wide-area aerial surveillance to map fire perimeters, identify active hot spots, and provide continuous aerial overwatch. This real-time intelligence allowed ground teams to better prioritize suppression efforts and protect threatened communities.
Close coordination with interagency partners enables Florida State Guard teams to operate
safely and efficiently in dynamic airspace, ensuring continuous coverage over communities
impacted by wildfires.
The Florida State Guard will continue to support state and local partners as wildfire
conditions develop across the region.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE GUARD | WHEN DISASTER CALLS, WE ANSWER.
With a heritage dating back to WWII, the Florida State Guard was reactivated in 2022 as a
state-supported volunteer force to provide rapid emergency response. Since the modern
relaunch, the Florida State Guard’s continued growth in capability and personnel
strengthens Florida’s emergency response in aviation, maritime, and land-based operations.
The Florida State Guard is committed to protecting the life and property of Florida from all
threats to public safety. For more information, visit https://www.floridastateguard.org/ .
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