A thermal drone operated by the Kilgore Fire Department tracked down an elderly woman who had disappeared in northern Rusk County, Texas, locating her on an oilfield property on 4 November 2026, according to local news reports.
Kilgore Fire Marshal Terry Linder piloted the aircraft roughly two hours after the woman had walked away from her residence. After about 90 minutes in the air, Linder identified her location roughly 1.2 kilometres from her home and guided sheriff deputies to her on foot. Medical personnel evaluated her at the scene and transported her for treatment.
The Elderville-Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department stated that the thermal camera allowed crews to cover a large area and detect heat signatures, noting that without it "the outcome of this incident could have been significantly different."
