This project aims to advance our understanding of how helicopter bucket drops reduce fire intensity in standing timber, and how this differs between products.We want to determine the threshold fire intensity at which helicopter bucket drops no longer have the desired effect (i.e. reduce fire intensity to < 3000 kW/m).

FPInnovations partnered with University of Alberta Mechanical Engineering to quantify the relationship between fuel load, coverage level and fire intensity in a lab environment. A model was developed but it was only verified in a low fire intensity environment.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources currently partners with the University of Toronto to develop an aerial operations decision model. The project of matching helicopter drop volumes to wildfire intensity will fit under its project scope.

With the advisory members’ support, FPInnovations will share data with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources from this project and report back to members on its future development.