From Edson Forest Area Wildfire Update - May 5, 2022:

INFRARED SCANNING TESTING | HINTON | May 6 - 27, 2022

Infrared scanning (IR) is one of many tools that we use to help fight wildfire by locating hotspots effectively and quickly. Once the flames of the wildfire have diminished, the fire can continue to smoulder into the ground for days or even weeks. Firefighters must find these hotspots and ensure they are dug out. This is often done by hand or with heavy equipment. They are then properly extinguished with water to ensure they don't re-surface later and become another wildfire.

Starting May 6 until May 27, both drones and helicopters will be flying in the Hinton area, testing their infrared scanning equipment as early as 4 a.m. and late into the night. The operators of these machines are private contractors that AB Wildfire hires and are evaluated on their accuracy, during both day and night.

The tests will be conducted over a pre-set grid system over the Cache Percotte forest, located south of the Town of Hinton. Ten firefighters will be assisting these test during the month and positioned on the grid with propane heaters for the equipment to find.

Read more on the Edson Forest Area Update here.