B.C. wildfire crews use drone for Canada's first controlled burn operation

Firefighters battling an active wildfire in British Columbia have successfully used a drone to carry out a controlled burn for the first time in Canada, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

The agency said crews working near Boston Bar used the drone to ignite a planned section of dry forest that was in the path of the advancing wildfire. The controlled burn was intended to remove available fuel and help slow the fire's spread.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, controlled burns are typically conducted using helicopters or ground crews, both of which can expose firefighters to greater risk. Officials said the drone allowed crews to complete the operation with greater precision while reducing the need for personnel to work in hazardous areas.

The successful operation marks a new approach to wildfire suppression in Canada. If future deployments prove effective, drone-assisted controlled burns could become a broader tool for managing wildfires in other parts of the country.