Modern aircraft for the fireline

Designing tools to fight wildfires today and in the future

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Our mission

Our mission is to give wildland firefighters new capabilities with purpose built UAVs

Current action

We are engaging with firefighting departments in urban-wildlife interface regions, knowledge keepers, provincial agencies, and researchers.

Goal of engagement

Identify where UAVs can help, driven by what stakeholders are asking for and what the current technology can support.

Empowered firefighters create more resilient communities amid a changing climate.

Why wildfires are getting worse

Fire seasons are starting earlier, lasting longer, and outpacing the people and aircraft sent to meet them. The gap between when a fire starts and when it's found is where lives, homes, and forests are won or lost, and it's the gap we're building to close.

  • A country warming twice as fast

    Canada is heating at roughly double the global average rate. Warmer, drier conditions make the landscape more prone to ignition and spread, and they're stretching the fire season earlier into spring and later into fall.

  • Record seasons are becoming normal

    Canada's three worst fire seasons on record have all happened recently. 2023 alone burned more area than any season before it, by a wide margin.

  • Drought sets the stage before fire season starts

    Early snowmelt and prolonged drought dry out forests before the season even begins, so fires that do start spread faster and burn hotter.

Sources: Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian Climate Institute, World Weather Attribution, npj Climate and Atmospheric Science (2024).

The Globe and Mail

Inside the early battle against the ferocious Bald Range wildfire
Government of Canada

Canada and Quebec Announce Major Investment in Wildfire Equipment
Canadian Occupational Safety

Wildfire safety charges expose deeper risks, Alberta union says

What we hold ourselves to

People first
Every design decision starts with the crew on the ground and what keeps them safe
Built in this country
To be designed, assembled and supported in Canada, with parts and service you can reach
Sustainability
[TBD]
Pragmatic
Solutions that emphasize reliability, durability, and repairability above all

Where we are

  1. Talking with community stakeholders

    We are gathering requirements from fire agencies, forestry operators and utilities

  2. Building the prototype

    2027: Demonstrate the technology readiness level and establish a Canadian supply chain

  3. Field trials with partners

    Work with local experts to assess our solution

Help shape the first build

Tell us about your operation and what a drone would need to do for you. We read every message.

Prefer email? info@helitacktic.ca