UBC Okanagan research tracks year-round wildfire risk in British Columbia
Iain Hoey
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UBC Okanagan develops new tools for wildfire prediction
UBC Okanagan has reported that its researchers are using new technologies to forecast and monitor wildfire risk across British Columbia.
According to the university, projects under way at the campus aim to shift from reactive response to proactive prevention, with multiple faculties contributing to applied fire science.
Dr Mathieu Bourbonnais, a wildfire researcher and former wildland firefighter, said the nature of wildfires has changed over the past decade, requiring new approaches to adaptation and planning.
The university stated that dozens of projects are currently in progress, involving engineering, environmental science, social sciences and Indigenous studies.
UBC Okanagan explained that it is working with emergency agencies, provincial ministries, industry and local communities to test and apply its findings.
Forecasting risk using real-time data and sensors
UBC Okanagan said it is applying sensor technology to track wildfire risk conditions in real time.
Dr Bourbonnais and his team have developed a network of sensors that monitor temperature, wind and humidity, which feed into a forecasting tool used by local authorities.
According to UBC Okanagan, this information can support prescribed burns, landscape management and early-warning alerts for infrastructure and environmental protection.
Dr Bourbonnais said: “This work isn’t just about emergency response.
“One of the benefits of our sensor network – especially in partnership with BC Wildfire Service and the Kelowna Fire Department – is supporting prescribed burns.
“That’s where resilience begins.
“Cameras and tech alone don’t reduce risk unless we’re actively using them to manage the landscape and prevent disasters before they start.”
UBC Okanagan confirmed that the team is also collaborating with BC Wildfire Service and the provincial government to develop a wildfire camera network.
The university stated that the initiative has received $200,000 in public investment and will use artificial intelligence to identify smoke and flames.
Fire detection systems tested on campus
UBC Okanagan has described its own campus as a “living lab” for wildfire hazard detection systems.
Civil engineering professor Dr Qian Chen is leading a research project titled Smart Fire Detection Systems, which is using thermal sensors and predictive algorithms to test wildfire monitoring tools.
UBC Okanagan explained that this project uses the campus as a site for real-world testing, allowing staff to evaluate system performance under live conditions.
The project is designed to support facility managers, emergency services and infrastructure providers by integrating real-time data into a decision-support dashboard.
Dr Chen said: “This is where research leaves the lab and makes a real difference.
“The tools we’re developing here could eventually protect schools, hospitals, even entire neighbourhoods.”
According to the university, the system could be applied across a range of buildings in wildfire-prone regions.
Students gain experience through fieldwork and development
UBC Okanagan reported that undergraduate students are directly contributing to wildfire projects through research placements and technical roles.
Computer science student Shreya Saxena was involved in building the interface for Dr Bourbonnais’s wildfire risk dashboard.
The dashboard is intended to help translate environmental data into formats usable by frontline personnel.
UBC Okanagan explained that students working on the project gain exposure to real-world data analysis, user design and digital monitoring tools.
The university added that students participate in other tasks including field sampling and software development.
Saxena said: “Our goal was to make sure the right people have the right information at the right time.”
Coexistence approach underpins multi-disciplinary wildfire research
UBC Okanagan said its wildfire-related research is based on the idea of coexistence rather than response alone.
The university stated that researchers are working to help British Columbia adapt to increasing fire risk through collaboration, innovation and year-round monitoring.
According to the institution, its campus projects aim to develop scalable systems that can be applied to public infrastructure and emergency response.
The work draws on interdisciplinary knowledge from engineering, climate science and community planning.
Dr Bourbonnais said: “The wildfires I see now aren’t the same wildfires I saw 10 to 15 years ago.
“They’re a different beast. We’ve got to realize that new approaches are needed.”
UBC Okanagan said its goal is to equip emergency agencies and communities with the information they need to manage risk in a changing climate.
UBC Okanagan research tracks year-round wildfire risk in British Columbia: Summary
UBC Okanagan is developing tools to forecast and monitor wildfire risk across British Columbia.
The university is using sensors and artificial intelligence to collect real-time data on heat, wind and humidity.
A digital dashboard allows emergency services to visualise the data and act on alerts.
Dr Mathieu Bourbonnais is leading several projects with partners including BC Wildfire Service and the provincial government.
A new camera network for fire detection is being developed with a $200,000 investment.
Dr Qian Chen is leading a separate project to test smart fire detection systems on the university campus.
Students are involved in research through roles in interface development and field sampling.
The research is focused on prevention and adaptation rather than emergency response.
UBC Okanagan describes its campus as a testbed for wildfire technologies.
The university aims to provide data and tools for infrastructure managers and emergency agencies.
