A Tasmanian startup is using AI to fight wildfires—before they even become visible.
Fire Foresight, a company based in Hobart, has developed an artificial intelligence platform that detects bushfire smoke in real time. The system is capable of identifying early-stage smoke patterns, sometimes up to 15 minutes ahead of existing satellite and ground-based monitoring systems.
This technology has gained attention after successfully identifying nearly 500 fire incidents during Tasmania’s most recent bushfire season. In 90 of those cases, Fire Foresight’s alert was either the first or the only one issued—proving the potential life-saving value of real-time AI detection in high-risk environments.
How the System Works
Fire Foresight’s AI platform leverages computer vision, atmospheric pattern analysis, and multi-source data fusion, including camera networks and weather sensors. It continuously scans for smoke plumes using machine learning models trained to differentiate between harmless atmospheric changes and signs of active combustion.
Once potential fire activity is detected, the system instantly alerts local authorities and emergency services, providing precise geolocation data for early intervention. By reducing response time, Fire Foresight could drastically limit the spread of wildfires and minimize damage to ecosystems and communities.
Proven in the Field
The system’s capabilities were tested extensively during Tasmania’s 2024–2025 fire season, where it outperformed traditional satellite-based fire detection systems in both speed and sensitivity. According to the company, some alerts were generated up to a quarter-hour ahead of the next-closest system, providing crucial time for responders to act.
With climate change accelerating the frequency and severity of wildfires, especially in Australia and the western United States, early detection has become a critical challenge for governments and emergency services.
International Interest Growing
Following the system’s success in Tasmania, Fire Foresight has drawn the attention of emergency response agencies in California, where wildfires have cost billions in damage over the last decade. Talks are already underway to pilot the technology in high-risk zones across the American West.
To support its scaling efforts, Fire Foresight has announced plans to raise $2 million AUD in funding. The company intends to expand its operations nationally across Australia and internationally, focusing on regions where wildfire activity is becoming increasingly unpredictable and destructive.
A New Era in Disaster Detection
The emergence of AI-driven environmental monitoring signals a shift in how the world addresses natural disasters. Tools like Fire Foresight’s platform demonstrate that AI can offer not just predictive modeling but real-time, actionable alerts.
As countries confront longer fire seasons and more volatile climate conditions, governments may increasingly turn to machine learning and computer vision as first lines of defense. Fire Foresight’s innovation represents a step toward proactive disaster prevention, rather than reactive damage control.
