exci’s AI Wildfire Detection Tech is never on Vacation

North America: The Scars of Fire on Iconic Natural Landscapes

The expansive terrain of North America, renowned for its diverse natural beauty and iconic landmarks, has not escaped the destructive force of wildfires. The United States and Canada witnessed extensive wildfires, scarring cherished forests, national parks, and wildlife habitats.

Renowned tourist destinations like Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and the Grand Canyon have faced the wrath of these relentless fires. This has resulted in widespread closures, restricted access, and a tangible impact on the local tourism industry. The loss of these natural wonders has disrupted travel plans for countless visitors and dealt a severe blow to the economies of local communities heavily reliant on tourism.

The imperative for comprehensive wildfire management and restoration efforts has become paramount. These nations are now striving to revive their cherished natural attractions and rejuvenate their tourism sectors after the onslaught of these catastrophic events. The urgency is underscored by the need to balance preserving these natural wonders and safeguarding the livelihoods of those who depend on them.

California wildfire. Source: Ross Stone by unsplash

Oceania: Wildfires Threaten the Pristine Beauty of Australia

Australia, famed for diverse wildlife and vibrant cities, faces persistent wildfires, endangering its stunning landscapes and tourist spots. The 2019/20 bushfires, in particular, significantly disrupted Australia’s tourism sector. Popular tourist hubs like the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House, and the iconic Outback have encountered long-lasting effects after destructive wildfires.

This has resulted in a significant decline in international tourist visits, causing a considerable setback to the country’s tourism-reliant economy. The environmental ramifications have been equally severe, with critical wildlife habitats destroyed, biodiversity loss, and irreversible harm to the distinctive ecosystems that draw millions of tourists to Australia annually.

2019-20 Australia Bushfires season. Montage created by Patrickgom0, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Economic Fallout: Losses in Revenue and Jobs

Worldwide, the devastating wildfires have hit the local economies hard, causing a sharp drop in tourism income and leaving businesses struggling to stay afloat. Hotels, restaurants, and tour operators have suffered significant losses, leading to job cuts and financial uncertainty for many who rely on the tourism sector.

Slow Rebuilding and Ongoing Challenges

Rebuilding after the fires has been slow, adding to the challenges these regions face as they work to recover from the economic blow of the wildfires. Persistent threats of future fires and the looming impact of climate change contribute to the uncertainty and complexity of the path to recovery.

Local Economic Impact

The effects of bushfires on tourism are readily apparent locally. Small-town economies in Australia have been hit particularly hard. Take, for instance, Portside Boat Hire, a modest enterprise in Lakes Entrance, East Gippsland, which relies on 50 per cent of its annual income from Christmas to Australia Day. The economic cost of the bushfires in East Gippsland alone was estimated to be $170-180 million.

Exploring Batlow, renowned for its apples, unveils communities’ profound challenges. While local firefighters played a pivotal role in saving the town, the surrounding landscape suffered extensive damage, including orchards and the iconic Sugarpine Forest Walk. The community, pivotal in Batlow’s revitalisation, now faces significant obstacles in personal, financial, and economic recovery—key components essential for the town’s overall resurgence.

Global Impact and Economic Threats

The enduring repercussions of this year’s wildfires in Greece cast a shadow over the livelihoods of many, notably impacting beekeepers whose ancestral pine honey business faces a grim future due to the destruction of pine trees. The recent surge of wildfires across Europe raises concerns about lasting effects on farming, tourism, and the broader economy. Reports indicate climate change-induced risks, especially wildfires, significantly threaten European GDP.

Perception Challenges and Global Sentiment

Untouched regions in Australia witness a tourism decline due to concerns about fire and smoke. Globally, prevailing misconceptions about the fires’ widespread impact challenge the tourism industry. This global coverage adversely affects Australia’s reputation, resonating particularly with neighbouring European regions.

The Ripple Effect: How Wildfires Impact Ancillary Industries

Wine Industry Hit: A$ 665 Million Loss

Struggling Wine Tourism: A Blow to Local Economies

Riversdale Estate Vineyard. Source: Flickr

Increased Extreme Wildfires: Biodiversity in Crisis

Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems

Biodiversity, encompassing species diversity, ecosystems, and genetic variations within them, plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health. A decline in biodiversity reduces an ecosystem’s effectiveness and lowers the quality of essential services. These services include soil upkeep, crop pollination, water purification, disease control, climate stability, and the supply of food and shelter.

Wildfires, historically a natural component of ecosystems, represent one of the five essential elements of nature alongside air, water, soil, and space. These elements are crucial for the planet’s balance and human survival. However, climate change has significantly increased the frequency of extreme events, particularly wildfires. These more intense wildfires lead to extensive destruction of forests and wildlife habitats. 

Global Ramifications of Biodiversity Loss

The devastating wildfires have wreaked havoc on human communities and left an indelible mark on wildlife and ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity is a poignant consequence, as countless species face the grim reality of habitat destruction and, in some cases, extinction. In Australia, iconic species such as koalas, kangaroos, and various bird species have suffered extensive losses due to destroying their natural habitats. The intricate balance of ecosystems has been disrupted, with ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate fire-affected areas.

The implications of the biodiversity crisis extend globally, as the unique ecosystems of affected regions contribute to the planet’s overall health. Beyond Australia, wildfires in places like California, Greece, and the Amazon rainforest have similarly led to the loss of vital biodiversity. The destruction of habitats endangers individual species and jeopardises the delicate web of interactions that sustain life on Earth.

Protecting and Rehabilitating Our Ecosystems

Wildfires’ Environmental and Health Ramifications

Airborne Hazards and Respiratory Health Concerns

Forests are crucial in preserving water quality and ensuring a consistent water supply. Over two-thirds of the world’s drinking water comes from forested watersheds, benefiting major cities and numerous smaller urban and rural areas. Trees and forests contribute to enhanced infiltration and reduced erosion, which is critical for preventing sedimentation and pollutants from reaching vital water sources such as rivers and lakes.

Post-Wildfire Challenges to Water Systems

However, after wildfires, the reduced tree cover leads to a decline in the interception of water runoff during storms, resulting in unstable soil and heightened erosion. This, in turn, causes rainfall to carry higher amounts of sediment, ash, and pollutants into lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, posing risks to water supplies. 

Substantial Impact on Soil and Water Quality

The impact on soil and water quality is substantial, requiring careful cleanup measures to prevent further harm. Returning residents face acute health risks, emphasising the need for protective measures during cleanup efforts. Furthermore, the contamination of drinking water is a significant concern, as overheated plastic pipes may leach chemicals into community water systems. 

Schematic diagram showing possible postfire changes in hydrologic, erosion and in river processes by CSIRO

Mitigating Wildfire Impact on Tourism: Strategies

Government Initiatives for Fire Prevention and Management

In the face of escalating wildfire challenges, a multifaceted approach is essential to mitigate the impact on tourism. Government intervention plays a pivotal role in implementing practical strategies. Proactive measures include investing in innovative firefighting technologies, enforcing stringent land-use policies, and conducting controlled burns to reduce fuel loads in fire-prone areas.

Public awareness campaigns can educate residents and tourists about responsible practices. Meteorological agencies must enhance early warning systems, providing timely information for communities and facilitating prompt evacuation.

Community Engagement for Wildfire Preparedness

Equally vital is robust community support to navigate the crisis. Residents, businesses, and tourism stakeholders must actively participate in wildfire preparedness initiatives. These include creating defensible spaces around properties, engaging in community drills, and adhering to fire safety guidelines. Collaborative efforts establish community networks for information dissemination and emergency response coordination.

Embracing sustainable tourism practices helps build resilience by diversifying economies and reducing dependence on tourism alone. Joint initiatives, such as community-based tourism projects, foster unity and shared responsibility among residents and visitors.

International Cooperation for Wildfire Prevention

The recurrent nature of these disasters has raised concerns about international collaboration to prevent wildfires and achieve Global Forest Goals (GFGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and other development objectives. Despite the evident adverse impacts, current investments and actions to mitigate risks fall short.

Greg Mullins, an Emergency Leader for Climate Action (ELCA), emphasised the need for government investment in innovative early fire detection technologies to upgrade Australia’s firefighting capabilities.

This comprehensive approach, encompassing government intervention, community engagement, and international cooperation, is imperative to effectively address the escalating threat of wildfires on tourism and broader sustainability goals.

exci’s AI Innovation Enhances Resilience of Tourism Hotspots

At the forefront of safeguarding tourism assets from wildfires, exci exemplifies its pioneering role with cutting-edge AI models.  At the heart of exci’s technology is advanced AI models fusing data from ground-based cameras and satellites to detect smoke and heat indicating fire.

These advanced models have undergone comprehensive training on the world’s largest dataset, collected and owned by exci. The deep machine learning algorithms have been trained to distinguish between smoke and similar environmental elements such as fog, dust, haze, or mist. This training is an ongoing process to deliver unparalleled accuracy and speed in real-time assessments. 

exci’s AI technology is well-proven through large-scale deployments. During the 2020/21 Californian fire season, exci processed over One Billion Images from 1,000 ground-based cameras and analysed 500,000 Satellite Images; the system covered an unprecedented 130 million acres across North America. Our AI-assisted Fire Management Tool detected 8,672 fires during the Californian fire season, with an impressive 66% detected within a minute and nearly 100% within ten minutes, with a near-zero rate of false positives.

Certified as Australian Made and Owned, exci oversees a vast network of nearly 25 million acres in Australia, from Victoria to Northern Queensland. With over 131,000 fires detected and counting, as of October 2023, continuous refinement efforts have reduced average detection time to a remarkable minute, showcasing substantial enhancements in both efficiency and accuracy.