Victoria expands AI-powered bushfire detection network

Victoria is expanding its AI-powered bushfire detection network by adding 11 additional cameras to its existing seven-camera system. The $3.8 million project is a joint initiative between the Victorian Government, Hancock Victorian Plantations, and the Green Triangle Fire Alliance.

The new cameras are scheduled for rollout across western and eastern Victoria by November 2027. Using artificial intelligence, the cameras provide 24-hour monitoring of landscapes to detect signs of smoke and fire, flagging potential incidents for immediate investigation. This technology is intended to provide emergency services and land managers with increased response time to protect communities, property, and critical infrastructure.

While the cameras will be installed on private plantations, the network will monitor more than 1.4 million hectares of land. Approximately 85 per cent of the monitored area consists of non-plantation land, extending coverage to regional communities. The expansion follows a trial by the Federal and Victorian Governments to test the accuracy of commercial AI bushfire detection technology.