Rogers, a leading telecommunications company in Canada, is collaborating with SpaceX to bring cutting-edge AI-powered 5G technology to firefighters in British Columbia. This groundbreaking initiative aims to enhance early wildfire detection and prediction, using the power of artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity, and satellite capabilities.
The innovative system involves deploying Pano AI cameras, which have the remarkable ability to detect smoke up to 20 kilometers away. These cameras will be linked to 5G towers situated in remote communities across northern British Columbia. In addition, Rogers plans to implement satellite-connected sensors in inaccessible areas, further augmenting the capability to predict wildfire activity.
Neel Dayal, Senior Director of Innovation and Partnerships at Rogers, confirmed that the deployment of this technology is scheduled within the next few weeks, with full operational capability expected by the end of the year. The company also has ambitions to extend this technology nationwide, given the increasing wildfire threats faced by various Canadian provinces.
Rogers’ venture into combining 5G technology with AI for early wildfire detection began in 2021 when they partnered with the University of British Columbia and the B.C. Wildfire Service. This collaboration was prompted by British Columbia’s experience of its third-worst wildfire season on record, which devastated nearly 8,700 square kilometers of land.
For several years, Rogers and the University of British Columbia have been exploring the capabilities of 5G technology. In this particular project, low-power sensors were deployed in B.C. forests to monitor weather and fuel conditions, enabling a more accurate assessment of wildfire risk.
Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais, an Assistant Professor in Environmental Sciences at UBC Okanagan and a lead researcher for the Rogers 5G program, emphasized the potential of these technologies to expand the reach and capabilities of the existing 5G IoT sensor network. This serves as the foundation for an early warning system for wildfires, ultimately enhancing public safety.
The integration of Pano AI cameras with 5G wireless towers near Fort St. James, Smithers, and Chetwynd will be pivotal in the detection of wildfires. Each station will include two cameras mounted at high points, offering a 360-degree view. These cameras will be connected to Rogers’ AI software, which employs advanced image processing algorithms to quickly identify and differentiate smoke plumes from clouds, mist, or dust clouds created by vehicles.
The effectiveness of the Pano camera system has already been demonstrated in several western U.S. states, such as Washington, Oregon, California, and Colorado, where they have successfully detected wildfires using the T-Mobile 5G network. Notably, a wildfire in Oregon’s Mt. Hood National Forest was promptly detected in July, underscoring the camera system’s efficacy.
While Rogers and UBC’s work was separate from T-Mobile’s efforts, the latter provided additional assurance that 5G technology plays a crucial role in enabling this type of solution.
In addition to the deployment of advanced technology, Rogers has committed to donating satellite phones to the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. This will bolster the capabilities of first responders engaged in wildfire response efforts. The satellite sensors, utilizing SpaceX’s low-bandwidth Swarm service, will provide satellite-to-phone coverage in remote regions of Canada.
This collaborative venture aligns with the global effort to enhance wildfire detection and response. The launch of WildfireSat, the world’s first satellite dedicated to monitoring wildfires, is scheduled for 2029. AI-powered sensors are also being developed in the United States and Canada, as highlighted by a United Nations report in 2022, emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures to mitigate the increasing wildfire risk caused by climate change.
The combination of AI, 5G technology, and satellite capabilities holds immense promise for early wildfire detection and prediction. Through this pioneering collaboration between Rogers and SpaceX, firefighters in British Columbia will soon have access to state-of-the-art technology that enables the identification of emerging blazes well in advance, enhancing their ability to protect lives and contain wildfires.
