Blab Tech
Oregon Department of Forestry Unveils $13.2 Million Twin Otter Aircraft for Advanced Wildfire Detection
A new bird of prey has taken to Oregon’s skies.
On Monday, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced that it will begin operating a de Havilland Canada DHC‑6 Twin Otter, a $13.23 million aircraft that will replace the agency’s 40‑year‑old Partenavia P.68 Observer plane. The Twin Otter is a multi‑mission platform that can ferry crews or cargo and, most importantly, deliver real‑time fire detection and mapping.
The aircraft will be stationed in Prineville, a location that allows it to reach any point in the state in just over half an hour. ODF Aviation Manager Neal Laugle explained that the Twin Otter’s short‑takeoff and landing capability and high‑rate climb make it well suited to the rugged terrain of Oregon’s forests.
At the heart of the new platform is a suite of sensors supplied by Oregon companies. Twin TK‑8 Smart Sensors from Overwatch Imaging scan the ground in high resolution across five spectral bands—heat, color, and infrared—while on‑board artificial‑intelligence software processes the data to identify heat sources and automatically generate maps of active fires. The aircraft also carries a FLIR thermal camera and night‑vision goggles, allowing crews to detect flames and heat signatures even after sunset.
"The upgrade has taken seven years of work," said Lindsay, ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area Aviation Coordinator. He added that the new aircraft will enable the agency to conduct night‑time missions after storms, when thermal profiles are clearer and night‑vision equipment is most effective.
Data collected by the sensors is transmitted via an upgraded Starlink satellite link. The high‑bandwidth connection delivers near‑real‑time maps to ground teams, a capability that can shorten the time between detection and attack planning. ODF officials said the live feeds will be available to firefighters within minutes of the aircraft’s arrival.
While the primary mission is wildfire detection, ODF officials indicated the aircraft could also support other state emergencies. The agency cited a potential Cascadia subduction‑zone event as an example of a scenario where rapid aerial assessment would be critical.
The Twin Otter’s multi‑mission design means it can carry up to 18 passengers or cargo, making it useful for transporting personnel to remote fire sites. The combination of advanced imaging, AI mapping, and satellite connectivity positions the aircraft as a force multiplier for Oregon’s wildfire response.
The new platform follows a broader trend of state agencies investing in high‑tech aerial assets. Other jurisdictions have begun deploying drones and satellite‑connected aircraft for early fire detection, but Oregon’s use of a full‑size Twin Otter with integrated AI is a significant step forward.
ODF’s decision to invest $13.23 million in the aircraft was announced in a press release on Monday. The agency said the purchase was part of a long‑term strategy to modernize its aviation fleet and improve wildfire detection capabilities.
The aircraft’s arrival comes as Oregon faces a growing number of high‑severity fires. In 2025, the state recorded more than 3,000 acres burned in a single month, a figure that has prompted calls for better early‑warning systems.
ODF officials have not yet released a timetable for the aircraft’s first operational flight, but they indicated that training and certification will begin shortly. The agency also plans to integrate the new data streams into its existing wildfire management software.
The Twin Otter’s deployment marks a milestone for Oregon’s forest management program. By combining high‑resolution imaging, AI analysis, and satellite connectivity, the new aircraft will provide firefighters with faster, more accurate information, potentially reducing the time it takes to locate and contain fires.
As the state prepares for the upcoming fire season, the new platform will be a key asset in ODF’s efforts to protect communities, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure from wildfire threats.
On Monday, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced that it will begin operating a de Havilland Canada DHC‑6 Twin Otter, a $13.23 million aircraft that will replace the agency’s 40‑year‑old Partenavia P.68 Observer plane. The Twin Otter is a multi‑mission platform that can ferry crews or cargo and, most importantly, deliver real‑time fire detection and mapping.
The aircraft will be stationed in Prineville, a location that allows it to reach any point in the state in just over half an hour. ODF Aviation Manager Neal Laugle explained that the Twin Otter’s short‑takeoff and landing capability and high‑rate climb make it well suited to the rugged terrain of Oregon’s forests.
At the heart of the new platform is a suite of sensors supplied by Oregon companies. Twin TK‑8 Smart Sensors from Overwatch Imaging scan the ground in high resolution across five spectral bands—heat, color, and infrared—while on‑board artificial‑intelligence software processes the data to identify heat sources and automatically generate maps of active fires. The aircraft also carries a FLIR thermal camera and night‑vision goggles, allowing crews to detect flames and heat signatures even after sunset.
"The upgrade has taken seven years of work," said Lindsay, ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area Aviation Coordinator. He added that the new aircraft will enable the agency to conduct night‑time missions after storms, when thermal profiles are clearer and night‑vision equipment is most effective.
Data collected by the sensors is transmitted via an upgraded Starlink satellite link. The high‑bandwidth connection delivers near‑real‑time maps to ground teams, a capability that can shorten the time between detection and attack planning. ODF officials said the live feeds will be available to firefighters within minutes of the aircraft’s arrival.
While the primary mission is wildfire detection, ODF officials indicated the aircraft could also support other state emergencies. The agency cited a potential Cascadia subduction‑zone event as an example of a scenario where rapid aerial assessment would be critical.
The Twin Otter’s multi‑mission design means it can carry up to 18 passengers or cargo, making it useful for transporting personnel to remote fire sites. The combination of advanced imaging, AI mapping, and satellite connectivity positions the aircraft as a force multiplier for Oregon’s wildfire response.
The new platform follows a broader trend of state agencies investing in high‑tech aerial assets. Other jurisdictions have begun deploying drones and satellite‑connected aircraft for early fire detection, but Oregon’s use of a full‑size Twin Otter with integrated AI is a significant step forward.
ODF’s decision to invest $13.23 million in the aircraft was announced in a press release on Monday. The agency said the purchase was part of a long‑term strategy to modernize its aviation fleet and improve wildfire detection capabilities.
The aircraft’s arrival comes as Oregon faces a growing number of high‑severity fires. In 2025, the state recorded more than 3,000 acres burned in a single month, a figure that has prompted calls for better early‑warning systems.
ODF officials have not yet released a timetable for the aircraft’s first operational flight, but they indicated that training and certification will begin shortly. The agency also plans to integrate the new data streams into its existing wildfire management software.
The Twin Otter’s deployment marks a milestone for Oregon’s forest management program. By combining high‑resolution imaging, AI analysis, and satellite connectivity, the new aircraft will provide firefighters with faster, more accurate information, potentially reducing the time it takes to locate and contain fires.
As the state prepares for the upcoming fire season, the new platform will be a key asset in ODF’s efforts to protect communities, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure from wildfire threats.
