FireWatch

How new technology is changing the game for forest firefighting in B.C. BC Business

Greece Builds World’s First Wildfire Monitoring System geospatial world

AI & the Fire Department

Kelowna FireSmart Community Chipping program wraps up the third highly successful citizen fire prevention season. City of Kelowna

NASA-funded technology is now being utilized by Southern Manatee Fire Rescue's hazmat team in Manatee County. Southern Manatee Fire Rescue employs robots originally designed for planet exploration to enhance firefighter safety. These robots, equipped with multi-gas...

The tragic death of Winnipeg firefighter Preston Heinbigner has prompted calls for increased mental health support in Manitoba. Heinbigner, a loving husband and father, will be honoured in the Manitoba legislature next week, with flags at fire stations across Winnipeg...

The province does not anticipate as extreme a wildfire season as last year, but there remains potential for large fires, particularly in the northeast and Central Interior. During a news conference, Matt McDonald, the BC Wildfire Service's lead fire weather...

The B.C. government is introducing new measures to simplify financial support for evacuees during climate disasters. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma announced that displaced individuals will now be able to receive a $200 accommodation allowance via e-transfer...

Some people in southern Idaho may face power outages during the hottest months to reduce wildfire risk. Idaho Power's "Public Safety Power Shutoff" Plan aims to shut down power in areas with increased wildfire risk, focusing on dry vegetation, low humidity, and high...

New technology from Vancouver, called AquaEye, is helping locate missing people underwater faster using AI and ultrasound. This handheld sonar device, developed by VodaSafe, can reduce search times from days to hours, scanning up to an acre of water in about a minute....

Firefighters are gaining control of the Post Fire near Gorman in northwestern Los Angeles County, which remains at 15,690 acres and is 90% contained as of Monday. The fire, first reported on Saturday afternoon near Gorman School Road and Ralph's Ranch Road by the I-5...

As Calgary enters its second week of water restrictions due to a critical supply issue following the rupture of the city's largest water main, citizens are being urged to prioritize water conservation. Officials warn that the city could run out of water if...

Vancouver firefighters responded to five major fires, seven dumpster fires, and over 250 other calls within a 24-hour period this week. The union representing the firefighters highlighted the need for more resources, especially downtown, due to the high volume of...

The NFPA® awarded the 2024 Fire Protection Research Foundation Medal to the project on Validating Cleaning Procedures for Firefighter PPE. This project focused on identifying and removing persistent contaminants from firegrounds to enhance firefighter health and...

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency visited Franklin County for its second AFFF takeback program, part of a statewide effort to eliminate aqueous film-forming foam. spectrumnews1.com

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees claims Alberta’s wildfire force is understaffed and undertrained due to recruitment and retention issues. High turnover drives firefighters to leave for better-paying, more stable jobs in B.C. or with Parks Canada....

Gavin Hojka, an Alberta wildfire incident commander, said firefighters were surprised by the speed of this year’s fire near Fort McMurray, which burned through the path of the 2016 blaze. Despite reduced fuel, the extended drought intensified the fire, known as...

A new study suggests that flame retardants in car seat foam may increase exposure to potentially cancer-causing chemicals, especially during the summer. Researchers are urging government officials to amend regulations to prohibit the use of flame retardants in cars,...