Okotoks-based IN-FLIGHT Data Group, a pioneer in drone technology, is changing the game in fighting wildfires.
Under the leadership of Chris Healy, the company’s innovation and dedication have put Alberta on the map as a frontrunner in using advanced drone technology for better firefighting.
Since 2020, IN-FLIGHT Data Group has been deploying drones to fight the scary blazes that are becoming all too common.
Their drones, far removed from consumer-grade quadcopters, are high-end Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operating from Okotoks and Springbank airports.
These drones are equipped with precise infrared sensors that collect thousands and thousands of pictures every night.
Drone Swarms Mean More Data!
When operating in a drone swarm, multiple drones capture over 10,000 photos in one night.
Many people use drones, but what sets IN-FLIGHT apart from its competition is its new authorization from Transport Canada to deploy synchronous drone swarms. Drone swarms can cover much larger areas.
“This year, we’ve been doing 200-250 kilometres of flight a night, and now, with simultaneous drone operations, we can take that up to about 1,000 kilometres per night,” Healy told Town and Country Today.
Infrared Sensors Are the Key
The nighttime operations, as Healy pointed out, are especially crucial.
Cooler temperatures mean that infrared readings from the drones are more accurate.
By morning, thousands of photos are processed using artificial intelligence to identify wildfire hotspots.
This timely data is then provided to firefighting authorities across Western Canada to help the next shift of firefighters to target hot spots.
Firefighters’ feedback confirms the accuracy and impact of Healy’s operations.
Healy recalls a crew member mentioning how the coordinates from IN-FLIGHT took him to a spot where the ground heat began to melt his boots.
Special Licensing
However, the potential dangers of drone usage over wildfires are evident.
Transport Canada generally restricts drones near emergency sites to avoid hindrances to firefighting operations.
For instance, Healy mentioned an incident in 2022 when a rogue consumer drone halted firefighting operations at a house fire in the DeWinton area.
But thanks to Healy’s expertise in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and stringent safety protocols, IN-FLIGHT has secured a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) from Transport Canada. This ensures that provincial fire control authorities sanction and oversee their operations.
This BVLOS distinction is noteworthy as Transport Canada is looking into new regulations for such drone operations.
Healy sees these potential regulations as a significant evolution for the drone industry.
According to Healy, drones offer an unprecedented perspective on firefighting, transforming how wildfires and structural fires are approached.
The aerial view and real-time data provide information crucial for getting water and firefighters as close to flash points as possible.
With the 2023 wildfire season still unfolding, Healy and his team remain vigilant, with their advanced drones ready for action.
Healy concluded, “The season’s not over…we are on standby.”
