This is the kind of situation drones should be used for.

[pnwmom]

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/Calif-launches-drone-to-scout-for-spot-fires-4766691.php

GROVELAND, Calif. (AP) — The California National Guard is flying a drone above the huge wildfire on the northern edge of Yosemite National Park in an effort to get an early bead on spot blazes.

Incident commander Mike Wilkins said Wednesday that the unmanned MQ-1 aircraft had allowed fire officials to spot a new fire they would not have seen from the ground.

A similar unmanned NASA aircraft has been used for fire surveys in past years.

SNIP

[HooptieWagon]

1. Absolutely.

They would also be useful in searching for lost hikers, etc, in remote areas... or for looking for downed aircraft, to better direct S&R teams.
The problem with drones isn't the drones themselves, its how they are used.