In the wake of LA’s climate change-fuelled fires, experts urge Australia to better prepare
In the wake of the Los Angeles fires that killed at least 27 and destroyed more than 14,000 homes and buildings, Australian disaster experts say new technologies like AI and drones are key to managing future bushfires. They are calling for federal funding to ramp up research and develop and deploy new technologies before future fire seasons occur around Australia.
From firefighting drones and water gliders to AI-powered fire detectors and satellite sensors, new innovative technologies to help put out fires before they become deadly and destructive are emerging. The ABC spoke to fire and disaster experts around Australia to outline some of the latest technologies being used around the world in the ongoing battle against bushfires.
These experts are recommending a multi-layered approach that would hit fires early and stop them from becoming deadly mega-blazes that can cause billions of dollars damage. They are calling on governments at all levels to fund research and the development of these new solutions for use in Australia.
AI currently supports the NSW Rural Fire Service's world-first Athena fire analysis software that crunches data from mapping, weather reports, satellites and live feeds to predict fire behaviour far faster than manual comparison. It then supplies those insights to incident managers, according to the ABC. This system could be used nationally to help better coordinate fire responses across state lines.
"One of the main things we're looking at are these scout drones, which are kind of a drone that has all these sensors on it that can see a lightning ignition as soon as it starts," ANU Disaster Solutions, Dr Roslyn Prinsley told the ABC.
Aided by an onboard camera, the drone can fly toward a fire, pinpoint its exact location and map the impacted zone for responding ground crews. It's infrared cameras also allow for 24-hour operation.
Water gliders are another new innovative approach being tested by Dr Prinsley's team in a rural part of the ACT.
"They are essentially disposable drones that you would fill with about half a ton of water and potentially some retardant," she told the ABC.
For a look at all the innovative technologies Australian experts are hoping to develop, see the ABC’s full story.
