Drones could take on bigger role in future wildfire firefighting
The collaboration comes after another difficult wildfire season in the Okanagan and builds on previous efforts to test automated drones for wildfire response.
Kelowna, a city in Western Canada, aims to enhance its status as an aerospace and drone technology hub by forming a partnership with FireSwarm Solutions and Okanagan College. This collaboration stems from the challenging wildfire season in the Okanagan and builds on previous tests of automated drone-swarm technology for wildfire response. Mayor Tom Dyas of Kelowna expressed optimism, stating that the city is prepared to lead the next chapter of aerospace and drone innovation in Canada.
The core of this partnership revolves around the development of drone-swarm technology for wildfire suppression. These drones are designed to carry significant amounts of water autonomously, thereby eliminating the need for human intervention, which is crucial in dangerous conditions. Alex Deslauriers, CEO of FireSwarm Solutions, emphasized the potential of these machines to pick up and drop off 350 kilograms of water without any risk to human life.
In 2025, FireSwarm is set to partner with the Kelowna Fire Department to showcase this technology on Knox Mountain. Preliminary tests have been conducted, and the larger autonomous aircraft capable of carrying substantial amounts of water are expected to enter the market soon. However, the timeline for integrating these drones into firefighting operations remains uncertain, as further investment from both government and private sectors is required.
Beyond firefighting applications, the partnership also focuses on education and workforce development. Okanagan College is enhancing its aerospace-related programs and constructing a new training hangar at Kelowna International Airport. This facility will house programs related to avionics, uncrewed aerial systems, and aerospace manufacturing.
Notably, the college and FireSwarm plan to collaborate on a curriculum specifically for aircraft maintenance engineers, enabling them to work on ultra-heavy-lift drone technology. This unique program is set to be the first of its kind in Canada.
The initiative leverages the existing aerospace industry in the YLW region, which comprises companies like KF Aerospace and other aviation-related businesses. FireSwarm, headquartered in Squamish, anticipates that these partnerships will expand its operations in the Interior, potentially generating new job opportunities. All parties involved, including FireSwarm, the City of Kelowna, and Okanagan College, view these agreements as a starting point for a more extensive, long-term collaboration involving industry, education, and government entities.
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