The Regional District of East Kootenay will be looking at a pilot project proposal from Firemark AI that could see early detection software installed in the region.
The technology uses infrared sensors, cameras and predictive programming to find wildfires as early as possible.
The company is asking the RDEK to consider a pilot project that would run for one year with a cost of $156,000.
RDEK director and former Cranbrook fire chief Wayne Price said residents are worried and this technology could help.
“More so now than ever you see the angst and the stressors all summer long,” he said.
“People in the community are agitated and their stress levels are going up.”
However, he said it should be the province’s jurisdiction and he believes they are already working on similar projects.
“The problem I have is that the wildfires are going to usually start in provincial jurisdiction out in the forest and they will encroach upon the city,” he added.
“It’s an excellent program. My understanding is the province is working on their own or something that they are going to integrate.”
He wants a more concrete plan from the province before the board dishes out money to a private contractor.
“If in fact, the province has a system they are working on, communicate that with us and give us some timelines,” he said.
“If they are coming up with it get it done. This is a solution, this is prevention and early detection. We all know with any type of fire early detection is the key.”
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