The use of night vision imaging systems (NVIS) offers the opportunity to conduct operations such as heli-tanking at night. Due to reduced fire behaviour at night owing to lower temperatures, greater relative humidity, and often less wind, night-time suppression from helicopters can conceptually offer a notable benefit.
To better understand the benefits and limitations of NVIS technology in wildfire applications, the Wildfire Management Branch (WMB) at the Government of Alberta engaged FPInnovations to collaborate on an NVIS-supported operational trial. The intent of this trial was to explore the feasibility of using NVIS in rotary wing operations with emphasis on heli-tanking.