From faster detection to around-the-clock suppression, local entrepreneurs are building tools designed to act earlier, move quicker and reduce strain on frontline crews. Here are three B.C.-based companies that are changing what wildfire management can look like.
CRWN.ai | Kelowna
In B.C., long transmission corridors cut through forests and mountains—where a single electrical fault can quickly ignite fire. “Utilities manage massive networks, and it’s nearly impossible to inspect every pole and insulator frequently enough,” says Brittany Courvoisier-Nicol, co-founder of CRWN.ai.
CRWN.ai detects early-stage electrical discharge before it sparks. “We use dual-sensor radio frequency and acoustic data, processed with AI, to distinguish real faults from background noise,” explains Courvoisier-Nicol. “These patterns appear well before a component fails, letting utilities fix issues before fire risk rises.”
The biggest impact so far has been faster intervention and reduced troubleshooting time. Crews can go directly to the affected structure rather than patrolling entire line sections. This is crucial in B.C.’s rural communities, where resources are limited and reliable power is critical for water, health care and communications.”
“Preventing ignition is far safer and more cost-effective than responding after the fact,” Courvoisier-Nicol notes. “Our goal is simple: move from reactive response to proactive prevention.”
SenseNet | North Vancouver
Wildfires in B.C. are increasingly fast and unpredictable, but SenseNet is giving communities a head start in fighting them. With the help of AI sensors and cameras, the system detects fires within minutes of ignition, often long before flames or smoke are visible.
Traditional methods, which rely on human observation through 911 calls, lookout towers or satellites, can take hours or even days—especially in remote areas such as Sparwood, Willowvale and Vernon, where SenseNet is deployed. “In Vernon, SenseNet has identified over 350 fires in their earliest stages,” shares CEO Hamed Noori. “Its network of cameras, smoke sensors and GIS mapping provides real-time alerts, continuous monitoring and post-incident support, including coverage of shadow areas.”
As fire seasons intensify across B.C., early detection is critical; with expanded satellite integration, next-generation sensors developed alongside UBC and SFU research teams and province-wide AI camera networks on the horizon, SenseNet is helping create a future with better wildfire response.”
Nova Software Company | Kamloops
Founded by former BC Wildfire Service firefighters Robert Atwood and Richard Sullivan, Nova Software Company has evolved from a small drone services provider into a leader in aerial intelligence. Its software platform is helping reshape wildfire response by turning aerial data into real-time, actionable insights.
“We felt drones were a natural fit for finding heat and hot spots for firefighters. It turns this boring, resource intensive process into essentially a treasure hunt for firefighters,” says Atwood.
Born out of firsthand experience on the fireline, the company was among the first in North America to deploy drones in wildfire suppression. Today, Nova’s AI-powered platform analyzes infrared imagery to detect hot spots, map fire perimeters and track fire movement as conditions change—giving crews a clearer, faster understanding of what’s happening on the ground.
Now used by more than 200 clients across North America and Australia, the technology also supports search and rescue operations. In high-stakes environments where visibility is limited and time is critical, Nova is helping crews respond faster—and smarter.
