Equipped with thermal cameras drones are helping monitor Australia’s devastating bushfire crisis. The ADF and Victorian forest & wildlife officers are utilizing the drones as a part of an alliance. They patrol into areas affected by the recent bushfires with DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual drones. The authorities, with the help of UAVs, are determining the full extent of the damage and locating animals that might have been struck.
Moreover, these drones capture photos and videos of affected Koalas in Australia’s bushfires. It should be noted that they are on the verge of becoming endangered. Around 85000 Koalas are left according to the survey in the beginning of 2019. This drone detection system works in three ways. Firstly, the drone captures visual and thermal images. Then, the images are received by a ground station. Finally, the images are inspected closely to see if anything is visually wrong with the koala.
DJI’s Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual
The Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual is DJI’s first foldable enterprise thermal drone. This makes it ideal for thermal imaging pilots on the go. In addition, the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual’s FLIR infrared and RGB camera makes situational awareness a breeze. Perfect for firefighting, search and rescue, and police activity the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual thermal drone gives an enhanced view from above.
Emergency crews in Australia are flying DJI’s Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual as part of industrial inspection and public safety missions. Therefore, drones fly over Australia’s bushfires stricken areas, surveying and rescuing. Apart from these, drones are an option to plant trees and help prevent future fires, by analyzing data from various sensors. At present, drones are more useful than satellites and manned stations because they have greater coverage area, higher speed, and flexibility.
However a research group headed by Professor Joe Dong from UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute, is working on an early bushfire detection system. The system is being funded by the Australian government to be deployed before Australia’s next bushfire season. The new system will utilize drones equipped with an array of sensors to monitor changes that could mean a bushfire is nearing.
