High-tech Drones Unleashed to Identify Concealed Blazes in Quebec’s Prone Wildfire Regions
In the wake of a catastrophic and record-breaking bushfire season, Canadian firefighters in Quebec have leveraged advanced drone technology provided by an Australian company. The initiative aims to combat the debilitating wildfires that have ravaged the region, particularly in remote and challenging terrain.
The lingering threat of zombie fires remains a persistent concern in the aftermath of wildfire events? It has been estimated that there could be tens of thousands of these residual blazes smoldering beneath the surface.
Canada’s 12-month bushfire season is poised to surpass the severity of 2023, with a staggering 45.7 million acres already ravaged by flames—more than double the size of Portugal? Quebec’s remote regions are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon of “zombie fires,” which are deeply ingrained root blazes that can inexplicably rekindle weeks or even months after initial firefighting efforts have been undertaken. The uncontrolled spread of fires in remote regions poses significant challenges due to inadequate monitoring and control measures.
To mitigate this limitation, a Canadian firm headquartered in Quebec, backed by its US counterpart, has introduced the Volanti, an all-electric fixed-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed by Carbonix. The Volanti excels at conducting rapid aerial surveys across vast and unforgiving terrain. Equipped with cutting-edge sensors featuring photogrammetry capabilities, infrared imaging with radiometric accuracy, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) functionality, and multi-spectral imaging technology, the Volanti represents Australia’s premier fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone capable of autonomously executing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLoS) missions to collect commercially valuable insights.
Enhancing Firefighting Capabilities
Researchers have collaborated intensively with the Australian National University-Optus Bushfire Analysis Centre of Excellence and the Australian Capital Territory’s Rural Fire Service to thoroughly scrutinise the expertise. As part of a five-year initiative, this collaborative effort aims to enhance situational awareness and improve wildfire detection through targeted strategies. The Volanti demonstrated impressive proficiency in detecting and responding to wildfires caused by lightning strikes, swiftly addressing potential catastrophes that could have devastating consequences if left unchecked.
Carbonix CEO Philip van der Wurgh expressed his pride at the company’s contributions to Canadian firefighting efforts. “Our expertise plays a critical role, typically replacing the work of firefighting teams operating from the ground or in helicopters at immense cost, considerable environmental impact, and significant risk to human life,” he said. “The objective is to detect and contain fires at an early stage, before they escalate into massive conflagrations.”
Collaborations and Future Targets
Carbonix, Exo Drone, and ArgenTech Options have been collaborating for the past year, leveraging their expertise to tackle the complex challenge of monitoring and managing energetic wildfires across Canada through innovative surveying, mapping, and analysis solutions. Companies are incorporating advanced sensor technology and cutting-edge innovations, including an Automated Flight Tracking system. This innovation enables UAS to operate concurrently with crewed aircraft throughout the day, diverging from the traditional practice of restricting drone flights to nighttime hours in Canada and the United States.
Argentech CEO Brian Veronneau underscored the significance of strategic collaborations in advancing the company’s growth. “We’re extremely satisfied with the progress we’ve made in Canada,” he said. “Our unified goal is to disseminate comprehensive solutions nationwide to Canadians, thereby supporting national wildfire suppression and monitoring initiatives.”
Jean-François Pominville, Exo Drone Government’s supervisor, underscored the crucial role of these partnerships in their expansion strategy. He described them as a well-curated collective of erudite, dedicated, and creative professionals, paired with cutting-edge aircraft designed for optimal performance. “We’re thrilled and proud to have them integrated into our organization as valued business partners.”
According to Carbonix’s calculations, the substitution of traditional manned aircraft and ground crews with Volanti drones is projected to yield an 80% reduction in operational costs and a staggering 98% decrease in CO2 emissions, while simultaneously enhancing safety and efficiency. Canada takes a significant stride forward in leveraging drone technology to streamline and environmentally conscious wildfire management.
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