New firefighting technology being implemented in Alberta
Posted May 10, 2021 10:46 am.
Last Updated May 18, 2021 6:08 am.
EDMONTON – The province just got its hands on some new technology that will help it detect and manage wildfires.
Alberta says it’s adding artificial intelligence, drones, and other new tools to its firefighting tool kit.
The minister of agriculture and forestry says Alberta now has two helicopters that are capable of dropping “water enhancing gel” which suppresses the amount of oxygen fire can use to grow and is implementing new “high-volume delivery systems” on top of existing water cannons and sprinklers.
The new tech also includes cameras that can detect smoke which will be able to automatically alert firefighters in the area.
The news comes five years after the Fort McMurray wildfires ravaged thousands of homes over 15 months from 2016-2017.
