Do Humans Still Need to Detect Wildfires Despite Technology Advancements?

Trina Moyles, a journalist, photographer, and creative producer, spent seven seasons as a fire lookout near Peace River, Alta. During this time, she witnessed some of the worst wildfire seasons in Canada’s history. Moyles has published a memoir titled Lookout, recounting her experiences and the challenges she faced while monitoring wildfires from a tower.

Being a fire lookout can be a stressful and helpless experience, especially when communities are threatened by advancing walls of fire. Moyles described the feeling of watching fires and wind conditions while trying to do her job. Last year, Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record, leading to a significant number of volunteer firefighters quitting their jobs.

In response to the crisis, fire chiefs from across the country requested more financial assistance from the federal government. As a result, the government announced an additional $800,000 in funding to train and hire firefighters for regular firefighting crews and combatting wildfires. New technologies, such as Alberta and New Brunswick’s AI initiatives and the Canadian Space Agency’s fire-monitoring satellite, have also been highlighted as potential solutions to better manage wildfires.

Tova Krentzman, a documentary filmmaker, is working on a project featuring six wildfire lookouts, including Kimberly Jackson, to shed light on the experiences and challenges they face in their jobs. Through a combination of new technology and human solutions, efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of wildfires and protect communities across Canada.