Sunshine Coast business Exci significantly reduces impact of bushfires with satellite technology

Detecting a bushfire within seconds is all possible thanks to this Peregian-based business. Here is how it does it.

Christoper and Gabrielle Tylor from Exci. Picture: Supplied

The threat of bushfire is all too real year-round on the Sunshine Coast.

But Peregian’s Christopher Tylor’s business, Exci, is bringing us all one step closer to safety.

Exci, formerly known as Fireball International, use a series of artificial intelligence systems, ground-based sensors, cameras and satellites to detect and report on bushfire activity within three minutes of the fire starting.

Known as the FUEGO Wildfire Intelligence system, Exci is able to significantly decrease the negative social, environmental and economic impacts of fires on communities.

Having first-hand experience with out-of-control fires after his home town of Peregian Beach withstood a large fire event in 2019, Mr Tylor felt a desperate need to get Exci up and running.

“We use cutting edge technology to help our clients and firefighters protect our communities from the ravages of bushfires,” Mr Tylor said.

“To us, there is no better feeling than knowing you’re making a difference.”

Exci removes the need for dedicated staff to monitor individual camera feeds and has so far been demonstrated in large and small-scale deployments with a near-zero rate of false positives.

“The Exci system acquires imagery from ground-based cameras and sensor data from satellites,” Mr Tylor said.

“The data is processed by a sophisticated AI that detects signatures of fires such as smoke and heat.

“If a fire is detected, reports are immediately presented to the relevant users, such as first responders or asset owners.”

Christopher Tylor with the international camera Picture: Exci

Exci work with power suppliers, telecommunications companies, forestry, agriculture and local Councils to manage bushfires before the cause widespread damage.

Mr Tylor said the experience of starting a business on the Sunshine Coast had been “inspiring”.

“Every day I am inspired by the people I work with, who are both talented and passionate,” he said.

“We believe that together we are not powerless in the face of wildfires.

“Our early detection, assessment and mapping system allows for rapid, effective fire suppression – empowering firefighters to protect what we love and that which is important to us.”