The Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) (now FPInnovations) conducted a study
to assess the reliability, effectiveness, and cost of airborne infrared remote sensing, mapping, and analysis systems used in Alberta.

Field trials were conducted to develop assessment methods and to facilitate preliminary tests of the hotspot detection capabilities of two airborne infrared remote sensing systems: an AWIS (Airborne Wildfire Intelligence System) mounted on a twin-engine aircraft, and a FLIR 2000 mounted on a “birddog” aircraft. Logistic regression was used to develop probability of detection models for each of the sensor and aircraft platforms evaluated. This report also describes the development of a simple model that allows fire managers to assess the cost effectiveness of alternative technologies.