Insitu's ScanEagle UAS used in support of firefight against Northern California's Camp Fire

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Insitu’s ScanEagle UAS, paired with its TacitView and Catalina software, recently provided remote aerial survey information during the firefight against Northern California’s Camp Fire.

Daily operational maps and full motion video detailing the fire’s movement were generated using the ScanEagle’s camera payload data and applied software.

“We are extremely proud to have had the opportunity to use our ScanEagle and our data collection, analytics and processing capabilities to make a difference by providing another high-tech tool to help firefighters and first responders in suppressing this massive, destructive fire,” says Esina Alic, Insitu president and CEO. “Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this disaster.”

Designed to be interoperable with government agency systems enabling domestic remote sensing operations, the TacitView and Catalina capabilities are valuable tools for fire suppression.

Using the information provided by Insitu, Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists were able to quickly produce geospatial maps and perform additional analyses.

In an effort to support firefighters, the Insitu Mobile Response team supplied this data for more optimal fire suppression planning in the Paradise, California area, which is known for its rugged terrain. With this up-to-date information, fire incident commanders were provided with enhanced emergency response efforts, increased situational awareness and safety, and supported planning and resource allocation, Insitu says.

​Operating at night, the ScanEagle UAS flew beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), providing perimeter mapping and hot spot locations and points of interest. The Insitu team also helped CALFIRE and multiple local and national firefighting response teams in their fire suppression planning, by circulating real-time video feed.

Insitu notes that its suite of real-time intelligence acquisition and distribution capabilities provide live Motion Imagery Standards Board (MISB) compliant video and flight telemetry to extensible mapping engines such as the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and the Windows Tactical Assault Kit (WinTAK).

Usually, these tools are used in defense missions, but they are now being adopted by first responders for various domestic operations, with one of those uses being in firefighting mission tools and products.