Services provide aerial large fire and new ignition imaging and mapping services to forest service
NAMPA, IDAHO — Owyhee Air Research (OAR) is pleased to announce that the United States Forest Service (USFS) has awarded a nationwide Infrared (IR) Fire Mapping End Product contract to OAR on June 10, 2021. The services of the contract enable OAR to provide actionable aerial wildfire new start detection and infrared mapping services. This base contract, plus four-year extension, will strengthen the already long-term and continuous relationship between OAR and the USFS.
According to OAR President Michael Intschert, OAR will use a suite of IR detection and mapping sensors to support national wildland firefighting efforts through detecting new wildfire starts as well as developing and delivering full infrared mapping products to the USFS. These products provide crucial, time-sensitive intelligence for fire commanders on the ground.
“The award of this contract to Owyhee Air Research represents a new chapter of growth for us,” Intschert said. “Our King Air multi-mission fire mapping and detection aircraft allows us to quickly mobilize to fires, acquire and distribute critical wildfire data, and move on to the next wildfire location quickly.”
OAR has been flying wildfire assessment for the purpose of hot spot detection, new start detection, and fire map development for more than five years. OAR was the first contractor with this technology invited by the USFS to supplement federal and state operated aircraft systems. This long-term history makes OAR one of the most experienced private IR-mapping contractor in the United States.
“We are looking for new ways to apply existing technologies to wildfire detection and mapping efforts with the Forest Service,” said Thomas Swoyer, CEO of OAR. “Our goal is to get information into the hands of end-users as quickly as possible so they can make informed decisions with it.”
According to Swoyer, OAR will continue to grow its capabilities and offerings to improve wildfire mapping and detection by continually adding new technologies such as small and large Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to wildfire work.
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About OAR
Owyhee Arial Research (OAR) is a licensed FAA Commercial Air Carrier and approved contractor for multiple private, federal, state, and local government agencies, wildlife biologists, and fire managers throughout the US. OAR uses the most advanced technology available in telemetry and Infrared/HD video equipment to deliver a variety of imagery, information, and intelligence.
