Canadians use SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 to help combat wildfire

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Canadians dealing with an island wildfire used SOS via satellite to contact emergency services despite a lack of cellular connection.

SOS via satellite
SOS via satellite



SOS via satellite is a new feature available on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro that lets users contact emergency services when cellular signals aren't available. It is generally used in emergencies, like when a hiker is lost or injured, but it also has other uses.

According to a report from SooToday, a pair of Missanabie residents (that's in Ontario, Canada) utilized the iPhone 14 feature to contact emergency services while combating a forest fire on Dog Lake. Warren Thibodeau and Orel Crack worked with local firefighter Craig Spooner to boat to the island fire and begin extinguishing it.

They managed to circle the island and spray water on the fire until it was eventually extinguished, and help from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry arrived. The event was photographed and shared by Eric Belanger.

"We were able to get assistance from the MNR by using the new GlobalStar emergency feature of the iPhone 14 while pulling up to the burning island," Belanger said in a statement. "Marc G., a camper at Dog Lake Cottages and Campground, went back to check on the island the day after and MNRF were in the process of cleaning up."

Dog Lake fire. Image shared by Eric Belanger via SooToday.
Dog Lake fire. Image shared by Eric Belanger via SooToday.
SOS via satellite

appears as an option when no other cellular signal is available. On-screen prompts direct the user to aim their iPhone towards a nearby satellite to get a signal.

It collects data about the reported event and provides emergency responders with the user's location. The feature attempts to keep communications streamlined due to the slow data transfer speeds and poor connection quality.

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 3
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,245member
    What an odd story. That island is so small. While it would have been a shame for it to burn entirely, the risk was very low since it would be impossible for the fire to be "wild". It was fully contained by a body of water.
  • Reply 2 of 3
    Graeme000Graeme000 Posts: 38member
    coolfactor said:
    What an odd story. That island is so small. While it would have been a shame for it to burn entirely, the risk was very low since it would be impossible for the fire to be "wild". It was fully contained by a body of water.
    Wind regularly takes sparks and ash across bodies of water and roads and spreads the fire further. 
    delerium62chasm
  • Reply 3 of 3
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,306member
    Graeme000 said:
    Wind regularly takes sparks and ash across bodies of water and roads and spreads the fire further. 
    Aaaand that’s why they had to fight this fire on such a small island. As one can see from the image, more land is not far away.
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