In 2023, British Columbia experienced the most destructive wildfire season in the province’s recorded history, with more than 2.84 million hectares of forest and land burned and tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate.
This summer doesn’t look much better with 86 active wildfires currently burning in BC.
Wildfire detection solution SenseNet wants to reverse that trend.
The Vancouver-based company announced today that Predator Ridge has commercially installed the company’s advanced technology integrating advanced sensors, AI algorithms, and real-time data analysis to provide highly accurate and early alerts to wildfire.
Located in Vernon, Predator Ridge is one of Canada’s leading four-season resort communities, situated on over 1300 acres of a natural landscape of desert-like grasslands bordered by hillsides covered with ponderosa pine forests.
Due to the natural topography, the North Okanagan region, including Predator Ridge, experiences a higher wildfire risk during periods of extreme heat, drought, air quality and lightning, which is common in similar climates.
The SenseNet installation follows the successful conclusion of a two-year pilot project with the City of Vernon – in cooperation with Vernon Fire Rescue Services – where Predator Ridge was one of the test sites.
Throughout the pilot, SenseNet’s technology underwent extensive testing, consistently demonstrating remarkable accuracy and speed in providing real-time data essential for deploying emergency response and protecting public safety.
“We are proud to be taking the lead on fire protection by partnering with SenseNet to become the first residential and resort community to enhance wildfire safety measures,” says Brad Pelletier, Senior Vice President, Predator Ridge.
“The integrity of SenseNet’s solution can help protect our Predator Ridge community and natural environment from a potential wildfire crisis through reliable and advanced wildfire monitoring to detect the earliest signs of wildfire and deploy the quickest response.”
Predator Ridge has installed a comprehensive network of 100 sensors, five gateways, and five cameras around the entire perimeter of the resort. This network provides early wildfire detection using gas sensing and thermal imaging. The system offers 24/7 monitoring and management through Vernon Fire Rescue Services and Emergency Management.
The network provides comprehensive coverage with 360-degree views, enabling AI-driven smoke detection. It also integrates data from sensors, cameras, satellites, and weather inputs. This allows for advanced, rapid detection and predictive analysis of wildfire behavior.
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