Using Drones to Combat Wildfires
The Canadian province of British Columbia has experienced the worst wildfire season in recorded history. Over 2 million acres have been burned, and at its peak, 45,000 people were displaced.1 The British Columbia Wildfire Service (BC Fire) deployed every available resource, including four types of fire crews, 24 fixed-wing aircraft, 6 helicopters, and out-of-province resources.2 This year, BC Fire tested a new tool: drones.
Drones equipped with thermal infrared cameras can see hot spots in the forest that are primed for ignition, as well as areas that may have escaped containment. In some cases, roots may smolder for several days beneath the ground surface. If hot spot locations are provided to the fire crew in a timely fashion, they can cool or extinguish them to prevent further spreading. It is also critical to “clear” the area before civilians are allowed to return into an evacuation zone. Drones excel at mapping and data collection, which frees up larger wildfire aviation assets to deploy crews, move equipment, and drop flame retardants and water onto the wildfire. Read More
