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https://theconversation.com/its-science-not-fiction-high-tech-drones-may-soon-be-fighting-bushfires-in-australia-247789>
"Picture this. It’s a summer evening in Australia. A dry lightning storm is
about to sweep across remote, tinder-dry bushland. The next day is forecast to
be hot and windy. A lightning strike tonight could spark a fire that grows into
a catastrophic blaze tomorrow.
Fire authorities deploy drones to chase the storm. The drones detect spots
where lightning strikes have ignited the bush – perhaps smouldering tree roots,
or smoke pouring from a tree hollow. The drones stay aloft throughout the
night, identifying new ignitions and monitoring those that progress to small
fires.
Larger drones are dispatched through the night. They drop retardant on the
burning bush to slow the flames. The small drones continue to supply data to
human fire crews. By dawn, the crews are armed with precise information and
ready to act. They suppress the small fires in the early morning, before the
winds arrive. What could have turned into a raging megablaze is confined to a
few hectares.
This is not science fiction. It is a feasible vision for using drone technology
to manage bushfires in Australia, outlined in the federal government’s recent
roadmap, which we authored.
So let’s take a look at how drones can help Australia fight bushfires, and the
obstacles to be overcome before it becomes reality."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
