Incident Media Photographs

Crews receive training in how to assist with transporting an injured person in the backcountry. Photo taken September 23, 2023 by NW Team 6

In recent weeks, Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones, were used extensively on the Chilcoot Fire and Grizzly Fire. Fire managers used them to conduct infrared (IR) flights. Drone IR saved hundreds of person-hours in detecting heat sources on or near the fireline. The type of drones used can cover any given area of a fire in a fraction of the time that it takes firefighters. Without technology like this, firefighters would have had to monitor the fires entirely by foot. This would have not only been less efficient but also more dangerous given this area's steep and unstable slopes.

Fire managers were able to utilize drones 10 of the last 14 days, gathering useful intel in a safe and efficient manner. Photo by Dan Warner, NW Team 6 on September 18, 2023

Crews receive training in how to assist with transporting an injured person in the backcountry. Photo taken September 23, 2023 by NW Team 6

In recent weeks, Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones, were used extensively on the Chilcoot Fire and Grizzly Fire. Fire managers used them to conduct infrared (IR) flights. Drone IR saved hundreds of person-hours in detecting heat sources on or near the fireline. The type of drones used can cover any given area of a fire in a fraction of the time that it takes firefighters. Without technology like this, firefighters would have had to monitor the fires entirely by foot. This would have not only been less efficient but also more dangerous given this area's steep and unstable slopes.

Fire managers were able to utilize drones 10 of the last 14 days, gathering useful intel in a safe and efficient manner. Photo by Dan Warner, NW Team 6 on September 18, 2023

Engines and vehicles staged at Morning Briefing. Credit: Jodie Barram, NW Team 6

Engines and vehicles staged at Morning Briefing. Credit: Jodie Barram, NW Team 6

Fire behavior fits with weather like a hand into a glove. The temperature, moisture, and winds all make a difference in how quickly, or slowly, and how hot, or "cool," a fire burns. (Vegetation, of course, has a substantial role in fire behavior as well.) Many fires have what's called an "Incident Meteorologist" working daily with fire managers to monitor and anticipate weather conditions so that firefighters can plan and act accordingly. Photo taken September 19, 2023 by Sarah Bush

Firefighters review plans for the day while a helicopter performs bucket work overhead. Photo taken on by Eric Mark on September 14, 2023

Fire behavior fits with weather like a hand into a glove. The temperature, moisture, and winds all make a difference in how quickly, or slowly, and how hot, or "cool," a fire burns. (Vegetation, of course, has a substantial role in fire behavior as well.) Many fires have what's called an "Incident Meteorologist" working daily with fire managers to monitor and anticipate weather conditions so that firefighters can plan and act accordingly. Photo taken September 19, 2023 by Sarah Bush

Firefighters review plans for the day while a helicopter performs bucket work overhead. Photo taken on by Eric Mark on September 14, 2023