Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service use cameras to detect fire started by lightning strike

A series of cameras have been used to battle a blaze in the Barakula State Forest, with QPWS rangers saying they will be crucial for the upcoming bushfire season. Find out more

Barakula State Forest fire 7/11/24

A network of fire cameras strategically placed across South West Queensland are expected to be vital in the upcoming bushfire season.

On Sunday the cameras, part of a network of 10 across the region, were used to identify and combat a fire in the Barakula State Forest near Miles.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services senior ranger Timothy Baker said the technology had been crucial in battling the blaze.

“We had multiple crews working in Barakula State Forest responding to a different fire and I got a call out from our duty officer that they had identified a new fire using the camera network,” he said.

“We have two cameras in the state forest and looking at one he identified a fire and using the other camera he was able to triangulate its location and we responded.

“We got there within 40 minutes and the conditions were such that we could put that out in two hours and maintain its size to about 9ha.”

Barakula State Forest fire 7/11/24

Mr Baker said the cameras were placed in key location across the region.

“It has been established for a few years, we have 10 fires cameras across the South West region and they are placed in strategic locations and high points across most of our state forest areas,” he said.

“We have two cameras in Barakula itself, in the state forest to the south of Dalby, we have cameras in Western Creeks State Forest, Kumbarilla and other places like that.

“We can use them to quickly identify new fires and with multiple cameras we can triangulate those locations and respond quickly.”

Barakula State Forest fire 7/11/24

Mr Baker said evolving technology had helped crews to more effectively fight fires.

“Fire technology is always evolving and QPWS is always looking forward to see what technology is available and how we can apply it,” he said

“The fire camera network is an example of that, access to drones and satellite imagery are also advances that are helping us to identify fires quickly and also respond and contain them earlier.

“We are always assessing the current situation with our network and evaluating where there is gaps and opportunities to put additional cameras in our network, about two years ago we installed an additional two cameras.”

Barakula State Forest fire 7/11/24

Mr Baker said these would be necessary in what is forecast to be a busy season.

“There are forecasts for hotter than average conditions in spring and into summer which combined with lightning and the storm conditions we are seeing at the moment will increase the likelihood of fires,” he said.

“QPWS continues to monitor the evolving bushfire situation and we work closely with Queensland Fire Department, land holders and other agencies.

“Early detection of fires is always an important thing and these will cameras will continue to provide those opportunities in the coming season.”

Originally published as Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service use cameras to detect fire started by lightning strike