Landgate technology heads to Indonesia
10/29/2009
Landgate technology is behind Indonesia’s latest weapon in the fight against damaging forest wild fires and associated Carbon emissions which was launched in Jakarta today.
Indofire is an online tool that detects and monitors forest fires, peatland fires and smoke haze and is based on the original Landgate program FireWatch.
Speaking from Jakarta, Landgate Chief Executive Mike Bradford said Indofire was based on Landgate’s FireWatch satellite technology, developed over the past 15 years to help manage wildfire across Australia.
“Landgate International Services is responsible for exporting this intellectual property overseas and was also successful in securing funding from Australia’s overseas aid agency AusAID to make Indofire a reality,” Mr Bradford said.
“Indofire uses a state-of-the-art sensor called MODIS which passes over Indonesia twice every day and night.
“Thermal sensors detect active fires, while other sensors image the vegetation type that is burning and the extent of smoke.
“The satellite data appears on the Indofire website within an hour, speeding up fire detection and allowing local fire brigades to respond more quickly.
“It also includes mapping information which allows forestry officers to see where the fires have started and then track their speed.
“The technology is particularly important for those living in remote communities, which have little ability to battle major blazes.”
Mr Bradford acknowledged the vital roles of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) and the Indonesian Department of Higher Education.
“This exciting development was funded by AusAID as part of the Indonesia-Australia Partnership, specifically the Indonesia-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership whose objective is to reduce emission from deforestation and forest degradation, both of which are intimately associated with wildfires.
“I also thank AusAid for their sponsorship and hope there will be further involvement with AusAid in the future.”
Indofire is viewable at http://indofire.landgate.wa.gov.au
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