Ground-breaking artificial intelligence network protecting our forest industry and South East communities
AI Camera network used for the first time commercially in Australia
In a groundbreaking first for Australia, new technology is monitoring our forests for bushfires in the South East. With South Australia facing severe drought conditions and an extended fire danger season, the Pano AI system is delivering real-time alerts ahead of traditional human surveillance. Introduced in late 2024, as part of the State Government’s $2.346 million upgrade of fire towers in the region, the technology investment in the Green Triangle, which spans the border area between South Australia and Victoria, enables rapid, accurate fire detection, safeguarding communities and vital plantation forests.
The South Australian forestry industry brings in a revenue of approximately $1.45 billion, with the plantation estate covering hundreds of thousands of hectares. This means early detection of fires is vital to the future of the industry. Using ultra-HD 360 panoramic cameras, AI and satellite technology, the system detects the first signs of fire to assist industry and emergency services response.
Proving its worth from the start
The network detected 25 unplanned fires in SA during the 2023-24 fire danger season as the cameras were being rolled out, providing real-time intelligence to aid fire suppression activities. The system, from USA-based tech firm Pano AI, swiftly identifies early fire signs, before they can cause significant damage to plantations and infrastructure. It can also understand where the fire is in relation to structures and other assets, allowing a quicker response. The network of 15 cameras, of which 8 are in South Australia, overseen by the Green Triangle Fire Alliance (GTFA), strengthens extensive fire management and surveillance measures in place across the region, helping to protect the state’s forest plantations, the community and landscape.
Looking ahead, assessing future applications
The cameras have been fitted to existing towers and cover critical areas of the estate. Staffed fire towers will continue to operate in the South East to ensure the region’s 130,000 hectares of plantation estate and surrounding communities benefit from early fire detection. A smoke detection algorithm pinpointing the fire’s location is verified by an analyst, who alerts emergency services, speeding up resource deployment to protect valuable plantations. Incident notifications are sent through Pano360, an online user interface that enhances situational awareness with features like asset and weather map layers.
A purpose-built new tower for the South East at Penola became fully operational in time for the 2024–25 bushfire season. The staffed Penola tower complements the AI-powered bushfire detection and monitoring cameras located at Comaum, Mount Benson, The Bluff, Furner, Mount Burr, Carpenter Rocks, Lucindale South, Cave Range, and others in Victoria.
Analysis of the roll out across the Limestone Coast will be important in considering the AI system’s suitability across other areas of the state. Industry is now in conversations about trials across other parts of the state.
With the South Australian portion of the Green Triangle forestry and forest products industry contributing almost $840 million to South Australia’s gross regional product, the network is protecting a critical industry as well as the surrounding communities.