For the Fultondale Fire Department, what began as a typical brush fire call quickly revealed just how complex wildland-urban interface (WUI) response can be. Thick forest, limited visibility, and uncertain perimeter size made it difficult to assess the full scope of the fire and even harder to plan a safe and effective response.

Turning Uncertainty Into Precision

When Lieutenant Shane Holliday and his team arrived, initial estimates put the fire at around two acres, concentrated near the train tracks. But dense brush obscured their view, and conventional size-up methods left too many questions unanswered: How far had it spread? Where was the heat active? Were crews heading into the right zones and in the most effective positions?

The operation took place at night, with Shane setting up his UAS operation from the side of Interstate 22 which was the closest accessible point to the fire. With no formal background in mapping or GIS, Shane turned to Nova for his first-ever deployment. In minutes, he was generating insights like a seasoned analyst. What the data revealed changed everything.

Field-Tested, First Time Out

Using Nova’s thermal and visible ortho tools, Shane scanned the entire fireground. Within minutes, he was able to:

• Visualize fire perimeter spread through dense foliage

• Pinpoint multiple active hotspots

• Redraw the perimeter based on data

• Reroute teams to better access points

With these new insights, he confirmed that the 2-acre estimate ballooned to a confirmed 20+ acres, and operations shifted accordingly.

Confidence Without the Complexity

In a region where vegetation can easily mask fire activity, the ability to process thermal imagery from multiple angles proved essential. Hotspots hidden beneath tree cover were clearly identified using the hotspot detection tool, allowing for targeted action and preventing crews from missing high-risk zones or chasing phantom heat.

“Nova gave us eyes where we had none. What would’ve taken hours to assess on foot, we had mapped in minutes—with accurate perimeter data, real-time hotspot detection, and the confidence to make decisions we could stand behind. It completely changed how we approached the fire.” 

- Lieutenant Shane Holliday

Real-Time Impact, Long-Term Confidence

What stood out in Fultondale’s response wasn’t just the technology; It was how quickly the team was able to adapt and make informed decisions in a dynamic situation. With immediate access to critical data, they adjusted tactics on the fly and coordinated more effectively across the fireground.

Fultondale brought their operational experience and we met them with tools to enhance it. Together, it demonstrated a practical model for modern, data-informed wildland fire response.