Drones Take Flight in Kelowna's Firefighting Future.

Kelowna is taking a big step forward in fighting wildfires. The city's fire department recently got a hands-on look at some cutting-edge drone technology. This isn't just about playing with cool gadgets; it's about saving lives and homes. The tech comes from a local company called FireSwarm Solutions. They showed off their drones during a training session on May 28. These drones are designed to work together in a swarm, picking up water from nearby sources and dropping it on fires. It's like having a team of tiny, flying firefighters. The drones used in the training were smaller than the ones that will eventually fight real fires. But they gave firefighters a good idea of how the technology works. The goal is to use these drones to reach fires that are hard to get to and to keep ground crews safe. The training happened on the hottest day of the year so far. This is a reminder that wildfires are a real threat, especially in places like Kelowna. The city's fire chief, Dwight Seymour, said that prevention and mitigation are key. This means taking steps to stop fires before they start and to reduce their impact when they do. The drones are part of a bigger effort to fight wildfires in B. C. Seymour said that fires aren't going away, and in many cases, they're getting worse. The drones could be a big help in the fight against these fires. The training was a success, and the city is excited about the potential of the drone technology. It's a reminder that innovation can play a big role in keeping communities safe. As the summer heats up, it's important for everyone to be prepared. This includes knowing what to do if a wildfire starts and how to protect your property.