AI system seeks to prepare firefighters for megafire conditions

Part of a five-year partnership between UNSW Sydney and Fire and Rescue NSW, a system combining AI, immersive visualisation and advanced simulation has been launched. Called ‘iFire 2.0’, the system is designed to allow firefighters and communities to experience and prepare for megafire conditions before they occur. Modelling fast-moving, unpredictable fires like those seen during Australia’s Black Summer and current European seasons, the system uses advanced machine-learning trained on a large fire-behaviour data sets.

iFire pine plantation. Image: UNSW Sydney

“Megafires can behave in ways that defy established expectations and response procedures,” said Scientia Professor Dennis Del Favero, Director of the iCinema Research Centre at UNSW Sydney. “iFire 2.0 lets users rehearse their response to these unpredictable conditions in a safe, immersive environment. By selecting variables such as wind speed and temperature, users can generate and explore extreme fire scenarios, rehearse their preparedness and develop the confidence and resilience needed when conditions become catastrophic.”

The technology is designed to support operational planning, incident management training, community preparedness and post-event review, and is intended to complement established practical training by providing a safe, repeatable environment to rehearse responses to uncertain and rapidly evolving fire conditions. The system builds on iFire 1.0, showcased earlier this year. You can learn more about the intelligent fire visualisation system iFire 1.0 and 2.0 at www.unsw.edu.au/research/icinema/our-research/projects/ifire.

Top image: iFire test. Image: UNSW Sydney