A Canadian company is building AI firefighting drones that use heavy-lift capabilities and smart technology to fight wildfires in dangerous conditions.
A British Columbia startup has won a major grant to develop AI firefighting drones that can battle wildfires around the clock. FireSwarm Solutions, based in Squamish, received $25,000 USD from Shift’s first-ever Impact Grant program in April 2025.
The company builds automated flying machines that use artificial intelligence to fight fires when human pilots cannot fly. Their AI firefighting drones can work at night and in dangerous conditions that ground traditional firefighting aircraft.
FireSwarm’s technology addresses a serious problem in wildfire response. Most aerial firefighting stops when darkness falls or the weather turns bad. But fires often spread fastest during these exact times when help cannot reach them.
The automated system uses what the company calls “ultra-heavy-lift drones” combined with smart computer programs. These AI firefighting drones can carry large amounts of fire retardant and water to burning areas without putting human pilots at risk.
Neil Henderson leads Shift, the BC power browser company that created the grant program. He said FireSwarm fills an important gap in how we fight wildfires today. “Their tech enables flight operations when other aerial suppression methods can’t fly—especially at night, when fires often spread most rapidly,” Henderson explained.
The grant money comes at a critical time for wildfire prevention. Canadian wildfires produced 22% of all global wildfire carbon emissions in 2023. This means fires in Canada alone created more than one-fifth of the world’s fire-related pollution that year.
Climate change has made wildfire seasons longer and more intense across North America. Traditional firefighting methods often struggle to keep up with the increased number and size of fires. Many communities now face evacuation orders every summer as flames threaten homes and businesses.
FireSwarm’s AI firefighting drones could change how firefighters respond to these emergencies. Instead of waiting for daylight or better weather, their automated systems could start battling blazes immediately. The artificial intelligence technology helps the machines navigate through smoke and identify the best places to drop fire suppressant materials.
The Shift Impact Grant was launched specifically to support companies working on environmental problems. Shift created the program to find startups, nonprofit organizations, and social ventures that develop solutions for climate challenges. FireSwarm was chosen as the first winner from applications across Canada.
Along with the cash award, FireSwarm will receive business mentorship and marketing support from Shift. This additional help could prove just as valuable as the money for a young company trying to grow and attract investors.
The partnership highlights how established tech companies can support environmental innovation. Shift, which develops web browser technology, recognized that its success creates opportunities to help other companies tackle urgent environmental problems.
FireSwarm’s location in Squamish puts them in the heart of BC’s wildfire country. The province regularly battles major forest fires that threaten communities and destroy thousands of hectares of wilderness. Local companies like FireSwarm understand these challenges firsthand.
The AI firefighting drones technology could have applications beyond Canada. Australia, California, and Mediterranean countries all face severe wildfire seasons that strain their firefighting resources. International markets could provide significant growth opportunities for FireSwarm if their technology proves effective.
However, the company still faces major challenges in developing its system. Aviation regulations for automated aircraft remain complex and vary between countries. Safety testing for AI firefighting drones requires extensive validation before government agencies will approve their use in real emergencies.
The heavy-lift capability mentioned in FireSwarm’s technology description represents a significant engineering challenge. Carrying enough water or fire retardant to make a meaningful impact requires powerful aircraft that can operate reliably in dangerous conditions.
AI systems must also prove they can make split-second decisions in chaotic wildfire environments. Smoke, wind, and rapidly changing fire behavior create difficult conditions for both human pilots and automated systems. The computer programs need extensive training to handle these unpredictable situations safely.
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Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of 24-hour automated firefighting could transform wildfire response. Early intervention often makes the difference between containing a small fire and battling a major disaster that destroys entire communities.
The $25,000 grant provides FireSwarm with crucial early-stage funding to continue developing its AI firefighting drone technology. Many innovative companies struggle to secure investment for unproven technologies, especially in specialized fields like firefighting equipment.
FireSwarm’s success with the Shift Impact Grant could also inspire other environmental technology companies across Canada. The program demonstrates that established businesses can play important roles in supporting climate solutions beyond their own operations.
As wildfire seasons continue to intensify due to climate change, innovations like FireSwarm’s AI firefighting drones may become essential tools for protecting communities and natural areas. The combination of artificial intelligence technology and heavy-lift aircraft capabilities represents a new approach to an ancient problem that has grown more urgent with each passing year.
