SOPFEU — Hot spots / operational support
Air support for wildfire operations through aerial thermal detection.
Context
In 2018, HighCloud conducted its first operational trials with the Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU), which coordinates wildfire response in Quebec. During high-risk seasons, rapid detection of residual hot spots after the fire front has passed is critical to prevent flare-ups.
Constraints
Operations in recently burned areas with residual heat risk. Coordination with ground crews and water bombers. Do not interfere with daytime operations. Compliance with temporary airspace restrictions.
Approach
HighCloud deployed a team of two certified remote pilots with a remotely piloted aircraft equipped with a radiometric thermal camera. The mission was conducted in three phases: planning, acquisition and transmission. The HighCloud FireWatch web tool extends this operational chain (mapping, SOPFEU fires, KML/PDF exports) and is available from our website.
Deliverables
- Orthorectified thermal map of the area
- Georeferenced list of hot spots with estimated temperatures
- Mission report with timestamps and trajectories
- Recommendations for ground crews
Results
- 1Data is collected faster and at night, enabling day crews to deploy in the early hours without waiting for thermal collection by helicopters — which cannot fly at night, unlike the drone.
- 2Improved accuracy compared to marking with dropped markers (tissue roll).
- 3Data transmitted electronically in real time if desired, or compiled and delivered before end of night.
- 4Since then, HighCloud has been one of the operators present on wildfires in Quebec.
HighCloud FireWatch tool
HighCloud FireWatch is a web application (mapping, SOPFEU data, reports and exports) used to support wildfire-related missions. It is hosted on the same site as our public pages — open it in a new tab for a full session.
Open HighCloud FireWatchClient
Société de protection des forêts contre le feu
Sector
Public safety & emergencies
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