Escalating wildfire incidents in Canada have triggered a surge in the development and adoption of advanced detection systems. The ongoing catastrophic wildfire season has led to substantial investments in technologies aimed at identifying wildfires before they intensify. OroraTech, a German company with a Vancouver branch, operates eight satellites equipped with specialized infrared sensors that monitor temperature anomalies in grids of four-by-four meters. The data is integrated with information from other satellites to swiftly detect irregularities and provide real-time reports to clients, including firefighting and forestry services. OroraTech's software is also capable of predicting fire behavior, aiding in prioritizing firefighting efforts.
Cornea, a New York-based company, employs AI to incorporate geographical and topographical data into its mapping systems. This technology helps assess potential fire behavior and risk, enhancing communication between forest management personnel and communities. Additionally, the mapping tool identifies locations with higher probabilities of successful firefighting. SensaioTech, headquartered in Toronto and Brazil, has developed a smartphone-sized device that monitors 14 different variables on a forest floor in real-time. The data, including soil temperature, humidity, and salinity, is sent to a dashboard for review and can trigger alerts on mobile devices when hazardous levels are reached. This real-time data contrasts with satellite information, which often carries a delay of up to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, Imperial College London and Switzerland's Empa research institute have created FireDrone, a drone capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 200°C for 10 minutes. While more focused on firefighting than early detection, the drone can autonomously gather information within burning structures and relay it to firefighters, aiding in locating fire sources and trapped individuals.However, predicting wildfires remains challenging due to factors like lightning strikes and climate change. Michael Flannigan, BC Research Chair for Predictive Services, Emergency Management, and Fire Science at Thompson Rivers University, acknowledges the importance of technological advancements, including cell phone apps that allow the public to alert authorities about wildfires and their locations.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
