Volatus aerospace’s Innovative Drone Deployment for Wildfire Management in alberta
Volatus aerospace has marked a significant milestone by executing its inaugural field operation aimed at assisting wildfire management teams in Alberta, Canada, utilizing remotely operated drones.
The Escalating Threat of Wildfires
Wildfires can escalate rapidly and unpredictably; even a minor shift in wind conditions can alter their trajectory, reignite dormant flames, or facilitate their spread, resulting in devastating consequences for both property and lives. This year alone,an astonishing 100,000 square kilometers of forest in Canada have been consumed by flames.
Enhancing Firefighting Efforts with Aerial Intelligence
Utilizing aerial data collected remotely can provide firefighters with crucial, real-time information about hotspots in hard-to-access areas, enabling them to contain fires more effectively and safely.
Night Operations for Optimal Data Collection
in a recent operation, Volatus drone pilots were deployed during nighttime hours to gather essential data for situational awareness, ensuring high-quality information while minimizing risks associated with airspace. The data collected helps identify wildfire threats that may not be visible to the naked eye.
“Fires can smolder in hidden locations,such as within tree trunks or underground,” explained Walter Weselowski,Team Lead for Special Flight Operations at Volatus Aerospace. “By operating from a safe distance, a drone pilot trained in thermal imaging can pinpoint and geo-locate these hotspots, as well as assess weather a contained fire is at risk of reignition. This information is vital for fire management teams, aiding in planning, resource allocation, and prioritizing daily tasks. This method is considerably quicker and safer than having firefighters traverse hazardous terrain to inspect the fire line.”
The Impact of Climate Change on Wildfire frequency
“The implications of climate change are likely to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of wildfires across canada,” stated Glen Lynch,CEO of Volatus Aerospace. “Research cited by E&E News in June indicated that ‘the fire season is expected to worsen in the coming decades due to climate change,’ particularly in the Hudson Plains region,which encompasses parts of Quebec and Ontario,where wildfire incidents are predicted to increase more rapidly than in other areas. Drones enhance situational awareness for firefighters and allow for reconnaissance in locations that may pose risks to personnel or manned aircraft. Given the current and anticipated shortage of qualified pilots for manned aircraft, we foresee a growing demand for remotely piloted solutions.”
Future Prospects for Drone Technology in Wildfire Management
“We view the role of drones in wildfire suppression as a significant opportunity for technological advancement,” remarked Rob Walker, COO of Volatus.“This announcement follows our May 3rd update regarding Transport Canada granting us permission to operate beyond visual line of sight and above 400 feet to assist with wildfire efforts across the country. Additionally, our June 1st announcement confirmed that our pilots successfully completed Hinton GRID testing for wildfire support in Alberta. We are now at a juncture where drones can be effectively integrated into wildfire management strategies. Volatus possesses the necessary training, expertise, equipment, and personnel to implement this initiative across North America.”
