Infrared technology is widely used by Canadian wildfire management agencies to achieve wildfire suppression objectives. The use of infrared technology to identify smouldering woody material during the final stages of fire mop-up is most commonly conducted using helicopters equipped with infrared cameras. This report documents the use of an infrared camera by firefighters on the ground on two separate fires in Ontario. FPInnovations has completed several projects related to the use of infrared technology in identifying small, smouldering spots of burning organic material. This Ontario study is our first evaluation of handheld infrared cameras operated on the fireline by fire crews. The initial reaction to the project proposal was suggestion that widespread use of infrared technology on the ground would result in a reduction in cold trailing activities. This study found the use of an infrared camera on the fireline did not alter conventional cold trailing activities but generally complemented conventional patrol and mopup procedures by enabling firefighters to locate more hotspots earlier in the day. In part this study was initiated in response to improvements in infrared camera technology which have increased their applicability to ground patrol operations while reducing the camera acquisition and maintenance cost.
This project is a cooperative study between the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and FPInnovations.