Fire spot push

By Melissa Meehan
NASA-DESIGNED digital sensors could protect the Yarra Valley from bushfires similar to that of Black Saturday.
And Federal McEwen MP Fran Bailey wants the cutting-edge fire detection technology from Europe trialed in local communities this summer.
The Firewatch system uses electronic camera sensors mounted on unmanned towers, automatically detecting small plumes of smoke, pinpointing location and estimating its size.
It also measures wind speed, direction, air pressure and humidity and can monitor up to 700 square kilometres.
The system can also differentiate smoke from dust or a car on a country road.
“Early detection is needed to ensure the safety of both citizens and fire fighters,” Ms Bailey said.
“This idea is much more than camera technology, it does what others can’t.”
Ms Bailey said the technology could detect smoke and blazes from up to 40 kilometres away within minutes using constant surveillance equipment and software, where the naked eye could only see 10 kilometres.
“It is vitally important to our local communities and all people in fire risk areas that we have the best technology and the best resources in place,” she said.
“I will be asking the Prime Minister to provide partial funding for a trial of the Firewatch system, developed by the German Aerospace Institute.”
She said working trials of the technology across Victoria could develop the world’s most sophisticated fire detection technology for Australian conditions.
“The system can go on existing towers, telephone towers or watchtowers,” she said.
“I can’t estimate the cost, but we’ve already got the bill for loss of property at almost two billion dollars.”
Ms Bailey said she would push for the new technology and had already mentioned it to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who seemed keen to learn more about it.
“I am determined to do everything in my power to make sure we make changes that will ensure that other communities will not suffer the way ours has,” she said. “Never again.”