How could the development of bushfire fuel detection technology affect Corangamite Shire?
New satellite technology may help Corangamite Shire manage bushfire risk The development of LIDAR satellite technology could allow Corangamite Shire to move toward proactive bushfire risk management. This system uses light beamed from satellites to create regularly updated 3D maps, which can pinpoint areas where fuel, such as low branches and scrub, has built up. This detailed information would allow local authorities to take preventive action in vulnerable spots before fires start, potentially reducing damage and saving lives. Currently, producing these detailed 3D maps using aircraft is costly and infrequent, meaning data often becomes outdated.
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How it reaches Corangamite Shire
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A satellite firm is developing LIDAR technology, which uses light beamed from satellites to detect bushfire fuel such as low branches and scrub. This system produces regularly updated 3D maps that can inform local authorities about vulnerable areas. The firm aims to have the technology fully available by 2028.
The full event1independent outlet -
The technology, known as LIDAR, uses light beamed from satellites to detect exactly where fuel, such as low branches and scrub, has built up in bushland. This allows for the production of regularly updated 3D maps that identify vulnerable areas to blazes. The detailed information from the satellite maps can inform local authorities when they need to take preventive action. This capability is intended to help address vulnerable spots and reduce the risk of fires growing out of control.
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local government area in Victoria, Australia
Everything about Corangamite Shire
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Spiral Blue is developing LIDAR, a system similar to radar and sonar, to detect bushfire fuel.perthnow.com.au
- The technology produces regularly updated 3D maps to inform local authorities when preventive action is needed.perthnow.com.au
- Currently, 3D maps of vegetations are produced using LIDAR flown by aircraft, which comes at a significant cost and is carried out infrequently.perthnow.com.au
- The company aims to have the technology fully launched and available by 2028.perthnow.com.au
Why it matters
For local government areas like Corangamite Shire, bushfire risk management is a critical operational concern. The ability to move from subjective, infrequent visual observations to detailed, regularly updated satellite mapping could fundamentally change how risk is assessed and mitigated. This shift could allow the Shire to allocate resources more effectively for fuel reduction and preventative measures, potentially saving significant damage and lives.
Historically, mapping bushfire fuel has relied on manual methods or expensive aircraft flights, leading to outdated data and limited preventative action. The development of this satellite technology addresses a widespread problem across large landscapes, offering a scalable solution that could benefit many local authorities across Australia and globally.
What we don't know yet
- When will the technology be fully launched and available for local authorities to use?
- What is the cost structure for local authorities to access the regularly updated 3D maps?
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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.