BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Province has announced it will partner with the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus (UBCO) to expand a camera network that will give first responders information to support wildfire response, emergency management and increase public awareness.
A trial run in 2024 proved enough of a success that the BC Government is investing $200,000 to expand the camera netrwork throughout the province. The 5G technology used will enable faster response as cameras can detect smoke from a wildfire and provide real-time data that allows for wildfire behaviour preditions, evacuation planning and resource deployment.
The real-time data is then analyzed using Artifical Intelligence at UBCO and then relayed to first responders.
“As a leading research institution, the University of British Columbia Okanagan is proud to partner with the BC Wildfire Service and the Government of British Columbia to support the people of the province through the provincial wildfire camera network,” stated Lesley Cormack, principal and deputy vice-chancellor at UBC Okanagan.
Business Examiner
