In May of 2009, FPInnovations, at the request of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Forestry Division (ASRD), conducted a series of drop tests with the amphibious Air Tractor AT-802F (the “Fireboss”) and the Canadair CL-215 at the Abbotsford Airport in British Columbia, Canada. ASRD uses the amphibious Air Tractor AT-802F and the Canadair CL-215 as part of its airtanker fleet for aerial wildfire suppression. The amphibious AT-802F has a smaller tank capacity than the CL-215, so many have wondered about the ground coverage capabilities of the AT-802F compared to the CL-215.
This project was completed on contract for ASRD. For more information, please contact wildfiregroup@fpinnovations.ca.
Advisory Member(s): Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
Abstract: The Air Tractor AT-802F is currently used by Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick for aerial fire suppression. In 2008, engineers at Conair Group Inc. designed a new tank gating system to improve the fire fighting performance of the AT-802F. In May 2009, FPInnovations, at the request of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, conducted a series of drop tests at the Abbotsford Airport in British Columbia, Canada with the amphibious Air Tractor AT-802F, using both Conair’s new gating system and the standard gate system.
This project was completed on contract for ASRD. For more information, please contact wildfiregroup@fpinnovations.ca.
Advisory Member(s): Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development
The provinces of Alberta and British Columbia requested FPInnovations- Feric to manage an independent evaluation of vendors interested in providing thermal infrared services during wildland fire operations. The evaluation was meant to determine a company’s ability to:
- meet criteria for detection and accuracy;
- produce and deliver products, both digital and hard copy, in standardized formats; and
- integrate multiple technologies in an optimal arrangement.
Feric consulted with experienced wildland fire operations staff and individuals knowledgeable in thermal imaging to establish an evaluation process that provides a consistent and reliable assessment of product performance and capability in a wildfire setting. It is intended that all rotary wing thermal infrared vendors will demonstrate their services in providing hotspot detection to the quality and standards stipulated by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (Alberta SRD) prior to commencing contract operations.
FPInnovations performed two case studies in the Northwest Territories to evaluate the effectiveness of sprinkler systems and aqueous gel for the protection of structures from wildfire. This report presents the results from the second study. The study results may assist fire suppression personnel when making strategic decisions on wildland–urban interface fires. The time and resources required to set up the systems, water volumes used, structural damage from wildfire, and structure temperatures were investigated.
