Transforming Emergency Response: How Spexi Helped Kelowna During Wildfires

In 2023, the City of Kelowna faced significant challenges due to regional wildfires. The city needed an immediate and accurate way to assess damage and provide residents with crucial updates about their properties. Traditional satellite imagery wasn’t cutting it – smoke obscured views, resolution was too low, and procurement was slow. Enter Spexi.

The Challenge:

• Obscured Views: Smoke from wildfires made satellite images ineffective.
• Low Resolution: Satellite images didn’t provide the detailed assessment needed.
• Slow Procurement: Satellite data took too long to acquire, delaying critical updates.

Spexi’s Solution:

Kelowna partnered with Spexi to leverage the Spexi Network, which quickly captured high-resolution aerial imagery. Spexi’s drones surveyed approximately 440 acres in a single day, delivering detailed images to city officials within 12 hours.

Benefits of Working with Spexi:

1. Speed of Capture and Delivery: Spexi drones scanned the area in one day and delivered data within 12 hours, enabling quick decision-making.
2. High-Resolution Imagery: Up to 2.8cm oblique images provided the detailed views necessary for accurate damage assessments.
3. Cost-Effective: Using drones was more affordable compared to satellite imagery.
4. Unobstructed Views: Drones captured clear images despite the lingering smoke.

Real-World Impact:

Thanks to Spexi, Kelowna could swiftly assess the wildfire damage and keep residents informed. Cheryl Trent, Data Services & Analytics Manager for Kelowna, praised the partnership:

"Working with Spexi is transforming both our emergency response and field operations. The rapid, high-resolution aerial imagery enabled us to quickly assess wildfire damage and keep our residents informed. Spexi’s technology has proven invaluable for both crisis management and daily urban management."

Get Involved:

The success in Kelowna showcases how local municipalities can benefit from partnering with Spexi. If your city needs high-resolution, timely data for emergency response or urban planning, consider joining the Spexi Network.

Spexi is revolutionizing how cities respond to emergencies. With fast, detailed aerial imagery, cities can make better decisions and keep their communities safe. Discover how Spexi can help your city. Contact us at sales@spexi.com to book a demo.