AI to eye bushfires
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Authorities are exploring the use of AI for early bushfire detection in Victoria.
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is piloting a new project to explore whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be an ally in the fight against fires.
Its Remote Sensing Bushfire Detection project, part of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF), aims to use AI and ground-mounted cameras to detect bushfire smoke in real-time and keep an eye on Victoria’s vast landscapes.
With joint funding from the Australian and Victorian governments, each contributing $1.5 million, this project evaluates the reliability and speed of smoke-detecting AI software.
The technology, currently in trial, is designed to complement the state’s team of Fire Lookout Observers, enhancing their efforts by operating 24/7 to scan for smoke from designated fire lookout sites, especially when human observers cannot be present due to nightfall or extreme weather.
During the initial phase in the 2023-24 fire season, cameras were mounted on lookout points at Mt Gordon, Mt Wombat, Peters Hill, and on a mobile trailer stationed at Mt Vandyke.
In Phase 2, the project is expanding to new sites, including Big Hill in Stawell, Mt Mittamatite, and Mt Ida, with plans for further sites if the results prove promising.
Experts say early detection of bushfires offers the best chance to suppress flames before they spread to populated areas, natural habitats, or critical resources such as water and energy infrastructure.
Should the trial demonstrate that AI can reliably spot smoke from a distance, FFMVic says it will also consider extending the technology to third-party lookout infrastructure and drafting a comprehensive remote detection strategy for Victoria’s future.
The project aligns with the Disaster Ready Fund’s broader goals, a federal initiative promising up to $1 billion over five years to help communities across Australia brace for disasters and climate change impacts.
