This post originally appeared on GIC.org.
Together, Vexcel and GIC have fully aligned their strengths to streamline efforts and enhance innovation, while continuing to provide the high-quality aerial imagery and coverage that insurers trust.
Gray Sky Event: Sevier County, TN Wildfires
A wildfire near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County, TN, grew rapidly and threatened hundreds of homes when it sparked Wednesday, March 30, due to strong winds and low humidity levels. During the last couple of days, over 11,000 homes were evacuated as firefighters worked diligently to contain the spread of two different fires–the Hatcher Mountain/Indigo Lane fire and the Millstone Gap/Dupont fire. As of this blog publication, nearly 2,500 acres have burned in the Hatcher fire, including a significant impact to more than 300 structures.
Collecting aerial imagery for a wildfire presents multiple challenges, the largest being the disaster is still occurring while our Gray Sky team attempts to find clear skies to fly. Smoke can be a cover that prevents clear captures and an incoming storm front complicated matters. But our experienced pilots, along with our operations partner Vexcel, know how to manage the often small windows of opportunity to collect aerial imagery for our insurer members.
Below is a small glimpse into the damage inflicted on this community, including before/after images for comparison. This high-resolution ortho imagery is now available in GIC platforms.
You can learn more about how the GIC captures Gray Sky events here. No one captures more disasters than the GIC. To request access to imagery from the Sevier County, TN fires or other imagery, please fill out our contact form below.
Large-format UltraCam cameras & sensors.
vexcel-imaging.com
Aerial surveys by fixed-wing aircraft.
kasurveys.com
Aerial imagery and data for government and business.
vexceldata.com
