Fly, Map, Act: Ventura County Fire Department Enhances Wildland Fire Response
When a wildland fire erupted on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura County in early January, Ventura County firefighters faced an immediate and dangerous challenge. Fanned by relentless winds, the Kenneth Fire surged, expanding to over 1000 acres in 6 hours before being contained on Sunday, January 12th. Ventura County Fire Department didn’t back down.
Leading their UAS Program, Training Captain Sean Ameche captured valuable intel and used Nova’s powerful drone mapping software, delivering rapid, game-changing insights directly to the fireline.
Training Captian — Sean Ameche
The Challenge: Battling Wildland Fire in Red Flag Warning Environments
In Ventura County, firefighters faced high-risk conditions as gusty winds propelled flames across rugged terrain. With fires exploding in Southern California, their response demanded precision and urgency. Airtankers worked diligently to halt the fire’s forward march, while helicopters completed aerial suppression, freeing ground crews to tackle mop-up operations.
Ventura County Fire Department had two clear objectives:
Map the fire perimeter and size: Efficiently deploy teams and allocate resources where they were needed most.
Generate real-time aerial maps: Share accurate hotspot data instantly with incident commanders and division supervisors on the fireline.
Drone Mapping Software in Action: Meet Nova
Ventura County Fire Department used Nova to turn aerial drone data into actionable insights during two critical phases of the operation. On the second day of the incident, Nova-generated maps provided crews with precise information on the fire’s perimeter and identified hotspots, allowing them to focus their efforts efficiently to limit reignition. Over the next 6 days, additional mapping ensured that no hotspots were left to reignite, effectively eliminating any surprises and securing full containment during red flag warnings.
Powerful Nova Add-Ons That Made the Difference:
Hotspots: The first machine-learning heat detection system designed to process infrared images at scale, delivering actionable results in minutes. Crews instantly shared findings with incident commanders via text.
Fire Perimeter: Create, update, and edit fire boundaries on the fly. With automatic size calculations and historical tracking, Ventura County Fire Department could monitor changes in real-time.
PDF Exports: Seamlessly coordinate efforts between command centers and field teams with geo-referenced PDFs.
Delivering Unmatched Support
Nova’s trailblazing technology helped redefine wildland fire management for Ventura County Fire Department. With real-time insights, crews pinpointed and attacked active hotspots fast, keeping manpower and equipment focused where they mattered most. Geo-referenced PDFs bridged the gap between sky and ground, giving teams a clear, unified view of the fire’s behavior. And when hidden hazards lurked near the fireline’s edge, Nova’s advanced detection capabilities uncovered them before they could reignite. It’s a bold, ambitious approach that empowers responders to stay one step ahead of the flames.
Key Takeaways: How Technology Drives Smarter, Faster Emergency Response
The Kenneth Fire operation revealed critical takeaways for emergency response teams everywhere:
Deploy Technology Early: Advanced mapping tools like Nova maximize situational awareness when it matters most.
Proactive Mapping Saves Time: Combining drones with detailed, actionable maps ensures no critical area is overlooked.
Seamless Collaboration is Key: Real-time data sharing strengthens coordination between ground and aerial teams.
Data-Driven Confidence: Continued mapping of the incident gave everyone at Ventura County Fire Department confidence their fire was out.
Ready to see how Nova’s advanced drone mapping software and geospatial features can transform your wildland fire management and emergency response efforts? Contact us today to learn how we can help your team forge a fearless path forward.
In the news: The Kenneth Fire
“The fire that broke out Thursday near Bell Canyon, on the Ventura County Line, was deemed contained Sunday”