B.C. government eyes wildfire fighting drones, other tech to deal with emergencies

Funding earmarked for innovation in B.C.’s forestry and emergency management sectors could pave the way for expanding the use of drones.

With British Columbia facing a series of environmental challenges in recent years, from wildfires to floods, the province is looking at how technology could improve disaster response.

On Tuesday, the government detailed its approach, which will allow companies to apply for funding, reducing financial risk while developing technology in the areas of wildfire and flood prevention, mitigation and management, forestry management and emergency response.

It calls this the “Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed,” having previously offered “testbeds” in the areas of airports, marine ports and health care to encourage innovation in those sectors.

“Developing solutions that work in real wildfire and emergency conditions isn’t easy,” said FireSwarm Solutions chief executive officer Alex Deslauriers. “It takes serious investment and the courage to take early risks. This testbed will help reduce risk for everyone— companies like ours developing new technology, and the early adopters ready to put in the work.”

Drones offer some potential advantages over helicopters.

One operator can fly multiple drones at once, while delivering similar payloads of water or retardant.

“As companies like this grow, the focus is on helping them continue along that path,” said Innovate B.C. president Peter Cowan. “From research and development to early pilots, and into that next phase of early commercialization.”

The program is run as part of what the government calls its “Integrated Marketplace,” which receives up to $41.5 million from the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth and $11.7 million from the federal government.