Photo credit: Kelowna Fire Department

By Pete McIntyre

sensors & cameras

City seeks regional support for early wildfire detection system

Feb 22, 2024 | 5:00 AM

The City of Vernon is encouraging its regional partners to get behind a new system designed to detect wildfires quicker, in an effort to prevent damage to properties and infrastructure.

Vernon Fire Rescue Services began working with SenseNet on an early wildfire detection system in the summer of 2022 as part of a national research pilot.

SenseNet bills itself as “the most comprehensive and rapid wildfire detection solution on the market, capable of detecting wildfires within minutes, effectively protecting critical infrastructure and valuable properties in high-risk areas.

The system uses sensor nodes to detect the earliest signs of wildfires, using a combination of gas sensing and thermal imaging, backed-up by smoke detection cameras.

SenseNet sensor (Image credit: SenseNet)

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After analyzing the images, artificial intelligence provides information on the fire area and size, its direction and speed.

In a presentation to the RDNO board of directors, Mike Walroth, Alan Hofsink and Wes Brassard from Vernon Fire Rescue said 60 sensors have been set up in high risk areas of the city, with plans to have a total of 150.

One camera is operating at Sparkling Hills Resort, with more locations identified. The city and SenseNet have conducted two test burns to help prove the system works.

“It is crucial to expand this technology to surrounding areas to better protect each of our communities,” the fire officers said to the regional board. “As we know, fire does not stop at boundaries. Detecting fire all around us will provide us better protection to devastating losses.”

The system is equipped with thermal imaging and AI algorithms that allows fire detection in low visibility conditions, including night time.

The sensors can also differentiate between gases from a campfire or wildfire.

For more on SenseNet, click here.