UBCO building network of cameras to act as smoke detectors in forest

UBC Okanagan is working on a network of cameras that would work like smoke alarms in the forest.

The provincial government is working with the university to set up cameras with 5G technology to detect smoke and use artificial intelligence to analyze real-time data to help improve wildfire response, according to a press release from the Ministry of Forests.

“With this technology, we’re making strides in protecting communities from wildfires by predicting them before they happen. And better predicting them means keeping more families safe,” forests minister Ravi Parmar said in the release. I’m proud to work with UBCO and use its research to protect our communities from the threat of wildfire.”

The government ran a trial of the camera network in five locations last year and since the test was successful it’s investing $200,000 to put cameras all around B.C.

The cameras will be able to help with evacuation planning, resource deployment and predicting wildfire behaviour.

“The provincial camera network will serve as a vital public-safety platform, helping to build safe and resilient communities, while enhancing wildfire and emergency management across British Columbia,” Mathieu Bourbonnais with UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science said in the release.

Local governments, communities and First Nations have been invited to contact BC Wildfire Service to get involved with the development of the camera network.

“As our climate changes, it’s important to manage and reduce risks to keep people safe,” said emergency management minister Kelly Greene said in the release. “Taking steps to prevent disasters, such as the early detection of wildfires, can be life-saving and helps protect communities, homes, critical infrastructure and our forests.”

Similar systems have been used in the Okanagan before. Last year, Vernon Fire Rescue Services and SenseNet put cameras and sensors with AI analysis in the Predator Ridge, Eastside Road, Tronson Road and Foothills areas as an early warning system.

Vernon’s fire chief David Lind said it’s a success.

“It’s an exciting technology in that it’s really applying almost that fire alarm system that we see in large buildings, where you’ve got every section of the building covered by some type of a monitor feeding back into a system that provides early notification to everyone … and almost taking that and applying it in an outdoors setting,” Lind told iNFOnews.ca last summer.