AI to Mitigate the Damage of Bushfires in Australia
Kevin Liu, a PhD researcher at Monash University, under the Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace & Combustion (LTRAC), developed Scientific Machine Learning (SciML) algorithms and techniques for modelling and predicting bushfire behaviours.
The dry climate and low moisture in the air create the perfect conditions for bushfires to spread quickly in Australia. Native trees like gumtrees, which contain high oil levels, are highly flammable, further increasing the risk. Kevin is using an analog of bushfires based on direct numerical simulations to produce the learning and validation data necessary to develop a machine learning algorithm that can use satellite data to predict all aspects of a turbulent bushfire in real-time. This technology is crucial for a country like Australia, as in the future, we could use this information to make critical decisions regarding fire breaks and post-fire management.
Kevin presented his research project at the first Pawsey Visualisation Conference this past July. Listen to the full interview, where Kevin shares more about his project and how this technology could revolutionise fire management in Australia.
Project Leader.
