Sunshine Coast developed AI program detects fires in minutes
A world-leading AI tool developed by a Sunshine Coast company could join the fight against bushfires, as rural firefighters call out for volunteers to battle blazes.
Sunshine Coast
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A world-leading tool developed by a Sunshine Coast company could join the fight against bushfires, as rural firefighters issue a public call out for volunteers.
Sunshine Coast-based exci has released an AI-assisted risk reduction and management program that analyses satellite images and cameras to detect heat and smoke.
Once a fire is recognised, reports will be sent to emergency services and Sunshine Coast Council for response consideration.
The technology was used in recent wildfires at California and has now been rolled out across the Sunshine Coast, with fire detection cameras installed at Gerrards Lookout at Maleny, Dulong Lookout, and Mount Coolum.
The program is currently being trialled as a bushfire currently burns at Beerwah.
The blaze at Beerwah, which is now within containment lines, has burnt 360ha of land, forced the partial closure of the Bruce Highway and is now under police investigation after being deemed suspicious.
Beerwah and the surrounding area has been impacted by smoke in recent days, from the fire burning near Roys Rd.
A fire that sparked up at Palmview in recent days, has also been brought under control.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the new technology released by exci will protect people and assets.
“Council’s primary focus is to ensure the safety of our communities and exci’s sophisticated system will help us rapidly respond to bushfire threats,” Mr Jamieson said.
“The swift arrival of our firefighters can be the difference between an easily contained minor incident, and a major bushfire that can lead to extensive destruction.”
Beerwah Rural Fire Brigade First Officer Lou Spann said firefighters need all the help they can get, recently putting out a public call-out for volunteers.
“We are actively recruiting local community members,” Mr Spann said.
“It benefits the community by having people who, first of all know our area and are able to respond quickly.
“So with a lot of these fires we’ve got going on these days, response times is absolutely critical.”
Mr Spann added that it has been a difficult start to the fire season.
“We’ve actually been having fires off and on now for about seven weeks,” he added.
“We’ve had about five or six days where there hasn’t been an active fire we’ve been called to.
“On some of the days we’ve had three fires, you know, it just makes it hard.”
If you are interested in volunteering, call Mr Spann on 0438 389 998.
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