As wildfires in Canada grow larger, faster and more unpredictable, the challenge facing emergency responders is no longer just putting water on flames, it is understanding what the fire is doing, where it is heading, and how quickly conditions are changing. For Strategic Natural Resource Group (Strategic), drones are a critical tool in meeting that challenge.

Strategic began using drone technology years ago as part of its forestry, environmental monitoring and natural-resource management work. As wildfire seasons intensify, those same unmanned aircraft systems were quickly adapted for emergency response. Today, drones are embedded in Strategic’s wildfire operations, providing real-time intelligence to support firefighters and incident commanders.

Equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal sensors, Strategic’s drones are deployed to map fire perimeters, detect hotspots, and identify spot fires that threaten to escape containment lines. They are especially valuable in steep terrain, dense forests, and remote areas where ground access is limited or unsafe. Drones can also fly in smoke and low-light conditions, allowing crews to maintain situational awareness when crewed aircraft are grounded.

Safety is a central benefit. Drone reconnaissance allows Strategic teams to assess hazards, scout access routes, and monitor fire behaviour without putting personnel directly in harm’s way. The information gathered helps firefighting crews deploy more effectively and reduces exposure to rapidly changing and dangerous conditions.

The use of drones doesn’t end when flames subside. Post-fire flights support damage assessments, erosion risk analysis, infrastructure inspection, and landscape recovery planning that is essential for communities, governments, and land managers preparing for what comes next.

Rather than treating drones as experimental technology, Strategic has proven their value over time through real-world use. In an era of escalating wildfire risk, that experience helps ensure decisions are guided by accurate, timely intelligence when minutes can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe.

In addition to drone-based fire suppression and monitoring systems, Strategic trains and supports resource professionals who are passionate about fire suppression. Each year Strategic deploys fire suppression crews staffed by internal foresters, biologists, and GIS technicians for fire suppression operations when requested by the British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS). Strategic offers an opportunity for new and previous wildland firefighters to further their careers as natural resource consultants, while also providing them an opportunity to participate in fire suppression activities during the summer. This unique program enables resource professionals to pursue their professional designations and work in their related fields of practice while also enabling them to give back to the province, communities impacted by wildfire, and the natural resource industry.