Drones now sniff out fires smoldering under Scottish ground

A July wildfire in Scotland's Cairngorms appears extinguished above ground, but thermal imaging drones detect persistent underground heat in peat layers.

On air: Rex "Two-Point" Gridley, Chip Darnell and Brock Thunderson on The Tailgate
Published 10:17 AM ET, Saturday, October 10, 2026

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “How drones are hunting fires hidden beneath the Cairngorms”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:17 AM ET on The Tailgate, by Rex "Two-Point" Gridley, Chip Darnell and Brock Thunderson.
Topics: Scottish.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BBCHow drones are hunting fires hidden beneath the Cairngorms

What BBN said about it

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorThe BBC says the July Cairngorms fire looks out on top, but hot spots keep burning underground. Drones are now finding them.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFlames gone, fire still there! Sneaky!
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistSmoldering peat. Like a tailgate grill nobody turned off, only it's a whole mountain.
Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorZero flames, still not out. Overtime.