Rutledge Airborne has begun deploying FireVision across its aerial firefighting operations, marking the first operational use of the platform in the United States.

The system will be used throughout the 2026 fire season, with two aircraft equipped to operate in some of the country’s most complex and fast-moving fire environments.

Working in partnership with the Nevada Division of Forestry, FireVision will support operations across the Great Basin region—spanning Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Texas through interstate agreements.

Rutledge Aviation will use the season to integrate FireVision into live operations while developing internal procedures to support a broader rollout across its fleet.

“We are proud to be the initial fielding company for FireVision,” said Michael Rutledge, CEO of Rutledge Airborne. “FireVision’s capabilities perfectly match our aggressive firefighting culture and commitment to advancing technology which enhances situational awareness and communication. This season gives us the opportunity to operationally deploy the system in dynamic fire environments while capturing data to develop operating procedures for wider use.”

The deployment will be led by Chief Pilot Cade Boeger and tanker pilot Annie Story, combining live operational use with structured testing and after-action reviews.

FireVision is expected to strengthen coordination between air and ground crews by providing a shared, real-time view of fire activity, fire lines, and air to ground interface.

“We are confident FireVision will enhance situational awareness between aircraft and help the ground firefighters communicate real-time requirements more clearly to supporting aircraft, our partners deserve this capability” Rutledge said.

Following the initial phase, Rutledge Airborne plans to expand FireVision across additional aircraft, with future integration with ground crews and onboard air attack platforms.

FireVision brings together live tracking, mapping, hazard identification and communication into a single operational system—supporting faster decisions, clearer coordination and accurate records in high-risk environments.

This deployment represents Tabula’s first FireVision customer in the U.S., extending its connected operations platform into one of the world’s most demanding aerial firefighting environments.