During the last semester of 2023, BOREAL SAS and Sentinel conducted a series of drone surveillance missions in French Guiana, demonstrating the effectiveness of this monitoring system in the fight against fires and in the detection of illegal activities. Over a campaign of 20 missions lasting 5 hours each, the BOREAL drone accumulated over 100 flight hours above the maritime and terrestrial territory of Guyana. The operations were carried out under the authority of the prefect of the Guyana region.
The BOREAL drone has enabled the detection of a hundred boats involved in illegal fishing activities and the identification of several illegal gold mining sites. Thanks to the BOREAL drone, several fire outbreaks were detected during nighttime operations.
Thanks to its 8-hour endurance, the BOREAL drone proved particularly effective in detecting fire outbreaks, assessing immediate danger to determine the need for intervention, and monitoring ground operations to ensure safety. The drone’s utility also extended to identifying residual hotspots, both day and night. These hotspots, often invisible to the naked eye, can reignite flames and cause new fires, making their detection essential for preventing future disasters.
During one mission that extended into the night, the teams were able to detect about ten fires, some of which were near residential areas. This situation required firefighter intervention to control the most dangerous fire. They ensured the safety of ground rescue teams by providing precise information on the fire’s progression and the areas at highest risk.
The success of this campaign was greatly facilitated by the collaboration of the Sentinel teams, drone operators, and local partners of BOREAL SAS in Guyana, who provided continuous and effective support throughout the operations.
