The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is eager to see new AI-driven tech used to help detect and predict wildfires.
The SkyMount Firemark technology would use infrared sensors, cameras and predictive programming to find wildfires as early as possible.
“We can use some of this technology – these high-resolution cameras, devices that can actually smell the smoke before a human could,” said RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay.
The company is hoping to partner with the BC Wildfire Service to run a pilot program for their technology.
Wildfire detection is outside of the RDEK’s jurisdiction, but Gay said this system could be helpful in the East Kootenay.
“We get a lot of lightning fires and we know we’re going into an extreme hazard season. The earlier you can detect those fires, the less money the province has to spend and the less damage is done,” said Gay.
Gay was impressed with the tech, noting that it could give firefighters a significant edge in combating wildfires.
“We can tie in this early detection to let crews know what they’re facing when they go out. These computer models will predict the spread of that fire, given the weather conditions and the wind,” said Gay.
The RDEK’s emergency operations centre (EOC) is ready in case support is needed amid wildfire season.
“We have some of our region at a moderate risk, but another week of this weather and we’ll probably be up to ‘extreme’ throughout,” said Gay.
“All the agencies turn up the dial, they have to be prepared. I think we’re ready with our EOC.”
A year ago, a wildfire broke out in ʔaq̓am, destroying seven homes and growing to over 4,600 hectares by the time it was contained in early August.
“It was July 17, 2023, when that large fire started in Ê”aqÌ“am. We lost homes there, and it was a very difficult situation,” said Gay.
“With the current weather pattern, we’re going to get fires, and a lot of our volunteer fire departments take initial action when a wildfire breaks out.”
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