1. Camera-based wildland fire detection: Lessons learnt Sharad C. Karmacharya Researcher Wildland Fire Operations Research Group FERIC Western Division Sharad C. Karmacharya Researcher Wildland Fire Operations Research Group FERIC Western Division

2. Wildfire detection- background Wildland fire detection research work since 2002 Wildland fire detection research work since 2002 Wildfire detection workshop in 2003 Wildfire detection workshop in 2003 Three video camera based detection systems tested in 2003 (ForestWatch FireWatch and Manual) Three video camera based detection systems tested in 2003 (ForestWatch FireWatch and Manual) ForestWatch chosen for further field trial ForestWatch chosen for further field trial Wildland fire detection research work since 2002 Wildland fire detection research work since 2002 Wildfire detection workshop in 2003 Wildfire detection workshop in 2003 Three video camera based detection systems tested in 2003 (ForestWatch FireWatch and Manual) Three video camera based detection systems tested in 2003 (ForestWatch FireWatch and Manual) ForestWatch chosen for further field trial ForestWatch chosen for further field trial

3. ForestWatch: Tower mounted video cameras Cameras are commercially available, dome type with pan/tilt/zoom control. Cameras are commercially available, dome type with pan/tilt/zoom control. 100 m communications towers were used. 100 m communications towers were used. Cameras are commercially available, dome type with pan/tilt/zoom control. Cameras are commercially available, dome type with pan/tilt/zoom control. 100 m communications towers were used. 100 m communications towers were used. One tower to be fitted with two cameras: One tower to be fitted with two cameras: –Tower top is not available, two cameras provide full 360  coverage –Back up in case of camera failure –Scanning will continue if one camera is switched to manual control –2 nd Camera is a small cost relative to other system components

4. Smoke generator

5. 2006 Activities 8 cameras in 4 different towers 8 cameras in 4 different towers Identification and evaluation of other available wildland fire detection technologies Identification and evaluation of other available wildland fire detection technologies 8 cameras in 4 different towers 8 cameras in 4 different towers Identification and evaluation of other available wildland fire detection technologies Identification and evaluation of other available wildland fire detection technologies

6. Edson Tower May 13, 06 15:51

7. Obed tower - May 16, 06 17:07 5 km away

8. Obed tower - May 16, 06 17:51 5 Km away

9. Carrot Creek May 30, 06 19:42 Flarestack 35 Km. away

10. Lessons Learnt Integration with other information Integration with other information Tower Tower Remote data transfer Remote data transfer Detection software Detection software Installation Installation Integration with other information Integration with other information Tower Tower Remote data transfer Remote data transfer Detection software Detection software Installation Installation

11. Integration with other information Burn permits Burn permits Lighting strikes Lighting strikes Flare stacks Flare stacks Burn permits Burn permits Lighting strikes Lighting strikes Flare stacks Flare stacks

12. TowerTower Identify tower site Identify tower site Visibility coverage Visibility coverage Accessibility Accessibility Identify owner Identify owner Permission to use Permission to use Engineering evaluation Engineering evaluation Tower type and mounting Tower type and mounting Cost Cost Identify tower site Identify tower site Visibility coverage Visibility coverage Accessibility Accessibility Identify owner Identify owner Permission to use Permission to use Engineering evaluation Engineering evaluation Tower type and mounting Tower type and mounting Cost Cost

13. Remote data transfer Microwave, satellite, and internet Microwave, satellite, and internet Deciding communication method Deciding communication method Cost a factor for the decision Cost a factor for the decision System specification. System specification. Combination of different methods Combination of different methods SuperNet and FireNet SuperNet and FireNet Microwave, satellite, and internet Microwave, satellite, and internet Deciding communication method Deciding communication method Cost a factor for the decision Cost a factor for the decision System specification. System specification. Combination of different methods Combination of different methods SuperNet and FireNet SuperNet and FireNet

14. SoftwareSoftware Automatic smoke detection Automatic smoke detection Night vision Night vision Pan/tilt/zoom control Pan/tilt/zoom control Images are integrated with GIS/DEM Images are integrated with GIS/DEM Location and distance Location and distance False alarm False alarm Automatic smoke detection Automatic smoke detection Night vision Night vision Pan/tilt/zoom control Pan/tilt/zoom control Images are integrated with GIS/DEM Images are integrated with GIS/DEM Location and distance Location and distance False alarm False alarm

15. Installation (towers) Installation (towers) Camera and Communication system Camera and Communication system Brackets (movement) Brackets (movement) Shed with power and access Shed with power and access Climbing towers Climbing towers 1 technician and 2 riggers take one day 1 technician and 2 riggers take one day Camera and Communication system Camera and Communication system Brackets (movement) Brackets (movement) Shed with power and access Shed with power and access Climbing towers Climbing towers 1 technician and 2 riggers take one day 1 technician and 2 riggers take one day

16. Other issues Potential for other uses Potential for other uses Leaving system in winter Leaving system in winter Mobile towers Mobile towers Potential for other uses Potential for other uses Leaving system in winter Leaving system in winter Mobile towers Mobile towers

17. Wildland fire detection technology evaluation, adaptation and implementation project Identify and evaluate potential technologies relevant to wildfire detection Identify and evaluate potential technologies relevant to wildfire detection develop a business case for wildfire detection program for Alberta develop a business case for wildfire detection program for Alberta Identify and evaluate potential technologies relevant to wildfire detection Identify and evaluate potential technologies relevant to wildfire detection develop a business case for wildfire detection program for Alberta develop a business case for wildfire detection program for Alberta

18. Business case Identify business model Identify business model Analysis of different scenarios Analysis of different scenarios Costs and benefits Costs and benefits –Short-term –Long-term Combination with existing system for better coverage and optimal solution Combination with existing system for better coverage and optimal solution How will these combination effect detection level? How will these combination effect detection level? Efficiency and effectiveness thresholds Efficiency and effectiveness thresholds Identify business model Identify business model Analysis of different scenarios Analysis of different scenarios Costs and benefits Costs and benefits –Short-term –Long-term Combination with existing system for better coverage and optimal solution Combination with existing system for better coverage and optimal solution How will these combination effect detection level? How will these combination effect detection level? Efficiency and effectiveness thresholds Efficiency and effectiveness thresholds