New federal funding will help a UBC Okanagan assistant professor deploy 150 fire-risk sensors across First Nations communities in B.C., to help predict wildfire risk and potential fire behaviour.
The research by Mathieu Bourbonnais is part of a partnership between UBC Okanagan and the First Nations Emergency Services Society to develop new technologies that “support Indigenous fire stewardship.”
The federal government announced Tuesday that it's contributing $2.3 million to support the partnership, part of $41.7 million announced for 20 wildfire projects across Canada.
“By weaving Indigenous knowledge and values with new fire-risk sensor technology and predictive models, this project will help mitigate the risk of severe wildfire to Indigenous, economic and natural resource values, and contribute to the restoration of cultural and prescribed fire practices on traditional territories,” Bourbonnais said.
Data from the 150 sensors will be used in AI predictive models that have been developed by UBCO researchers to forecast wildfire risk and potential fire behaviour.
“This support from Natural Resources Canada is a game-changer,” said Matt Nelson, First Nations Emergency Services Society integrated fire management supervisor.
“This funding allows UBCO and FNESS to work collaboratively with First Nations communities on holistic fire mitigation. By combining Indigenous knowledge with new technology, we’re helping to predict wildfire risk while respecting and integrating traditional fire practices. This initiative is about empowering communities to protect their land and their people.”
The new funding will support the partnership through to 2028.
