UBC Okanagan (UBCO) is part of a pilot program using AI and SpaceX technology to better predict wildfires in B.C.

Rogers Communications is investing in satellite-connected sensors, with SpaceX害羞草研究所檚 low-bandwidth Swarm service, and Pano AI cameras on the company害羞草研究所檚 5G network that detect smoke up to a 20-kilometre range.

害羞草研究所淭he way we understand and model fire risk is really based on weather stations,害羞草研究所� said Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais, lead assistant professor, department of earth, environmental and geographic sciences, UBCO.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) maintains a network of approximately 250 such stations across the province.

Over the past two years, Bourbonnais has been working with Rogers on developing a low-cost weather station.

害羞草研究所淭hey monitor all the weather parameters that influence fire and fuel conditions in real-time. They害羞草研究所檝e been working phenomenally well.害羞草研究所�

The stations can be put out in high numbers, including approximately 80 in the Okanagan, however, 14 of those units were lost in the McDougall Creek wildfire.

害羞草研究所淭hose devices were actually transmitting right up until the last second before they burned.害羞草研究所�

The next step in the pilot is adding the AI cameras and integrating them with satellites.

害羞草研究所淥nce you do that you can put them absolutely anywhere,害羞草研究所� said Bourbonnais, noting a similar system is used in California.

害羞草研究所淚t gives fire suppression organizations, such as BCWS, eyes on the fire, or it might help them detect a fire earlier or maybe somewhere remote where detection systems are sparse.害羞草研究所�

Bourbonnais, a former wildland firefighter, cautioned that challenges are to be expected in using AI cameras to detect wildfires.

害羞草研究所淎 fire doesn害羞草研究所檛 often start out as much, it害羞草研究所檚 often that wispy plume of smoke. It害羞草研究所檚 easy to mistake that for other things, a truck spouting exhaust from the air can look like a fire.害羞草研究所�

Initially, AI cameras will be located on wireless towers near Fort St. James, Smithers, and Chetwynd.

害羞草研究所淓arly detection of wildfires is critical in preventing their spread to help protect communities and our forests,害羞草研究所� said Sonia Kastner, CEO, Pano AI.

The technology builds on ongoing 5G research by Rogers, UBC, and the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to enable better detection and help first responders manage devastating events.

害羞草研究所淐limate change is a global issue that requires urgent action,害羞草研究所� said Tony Staffieri, president and CEO, Rogers. 害羞草研究所淐ommunities across the country are facing the effects of unprecedented wildfires.害羞草研究所�

The company is also donating satellite phones to the B.C. Search and Rescue Association (BCSRA) to support first responders.

害羞草研究所淐ommunications are critical in search and rescue operations for the safety of everyone involved,害羞草研究所� said Dwight Yochim, CEO.

The donation of satellite phones will have a direct impact

on the safety of 3,400 search and rescue members across the province, Yochim added.

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