Aerometrex
World’s first bushfire fuel load mapping system using airborne LiDAR
From a single LiDAR capture anywhere in Australia, we can now:
algorithmically assess fuel load tonness per hectare
give fully stratified fuel load maps from ground to tree canopy
provide individual property assessments with:
fuel loads and tonnes per hectare
Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings
significant water sources for use during bushfires identified.
Our data will directly impact fire management from preparation and prevention activities to real-time response during bushfire events.
This page explains our capture method, our new data outputs, and how we can better help the planning, prevention, and direct interventions in bushfires.
EFFICIENT LARGE-SCALE DATA CAPTURE
We use fixed-wing planes with LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors to capture up to 150km2 per day. It’s a cost-effective and scalable method thanks to the fixed-wing platform’s operational range and movement speed. No other aerial platform comes close to capturing as quickly and with such detail. We can capture in minutes, as part of a whole-day capture, with fixed-wing platforms what a drone will take a day to replicate.
The LiDAR sensors measure the time and intensity that laser pulses reflect off surfaces. Each laser pulse reflection becomes part of a point cloud that we classify into buildings, trees, water features, and other structures. We use the LiDAR data to assess foliage structure and density from the canopy down to 25-50cm above ground level.
Those captures are the basis of our fuel load data service. Every element of the service described below comes from the same data capture.
MORE DETAILED FUEL LOAD MAPS
Our fuel load maps now have data on fuel load tonnes per hectare calculation (TPHa).
We responded to feedback from fire services who wanted TPHa metrics by making a calculation system that can be adapted to anywhere around Australia. Fuel load TPHa is essential data when assessing potential bushfire risk and response to active fires, and no previous system can match the accuracy of what we’ve developed.
FUEL LOAD TONNES PER HECTARE
The TPHa fuel load calculation uses our captured LiDAR data and applies foliage weight results.
Fire services around Australia regularly run measurement tests by taking samples of plant matter, dehydrating them, and weighing the dry biomass as a baseline measurement to calculate the TPHa. We use extrapolated results from those tests to predict how areas will burn based on their specific foliage types and density. Dry weight biomass tests are repeated over time to improve the data, and our calculations will improve in tandem.
Our calculation algorithm applies to any foliage flammability data set. Our test case in South Australia’s Belair National Park has used the eucalyptus woodland and forest data common to the Adelaide Hills. All we need is the test results from other foliage types to make the TPHa calculation anywhere in Australia.
AEROMETREX RESPONDED TO FEEDBACK FROM FIRE SERVICES WHO WANTED THE TONNES PER HECTARE METRIC AND MADE A CALCULATION SYSTEM THAT CAN BE ADAPTED TO ANY FOLIAGE TYPE AROUND AUSTRALIA.
Tonnes per hectare (Blue <5 - Red >30)
REGION-CALIBRATED AND SCALABLE DATA
We calibrate TPHa data outputs to account for each end-member vegetation type.
Additional captures in new end-member vegetation types are carefully planned to include field sites that represent the full spectrum of bushfire fuel hazards within the area. This will provide a robust calibration dataset covering the full range from minimum to maximum fuel loads associated with each vegetation type.
STRATIFIED FUEL LOAD MEASUREMENT
Total fuel load and TPHa data are made significantly more valuable by our stratified fuel load measurement. The LiDAR capture’s ability to measure from tree canopy to the ground is data that’s never been available on this scale before and can change bushfire prevention and response. We call it “vertical connectivity” and it’s a powerful indicator of potential bushfire severity.
Vertical connectivity refers to the fuel load between the ground and canopy. Bushfires move faster and are more difficult to contain once they’ve reached the tree canopies. Vertical connectivity becomes invaluable data for predicting the potential for surface fires to climb ladder fuel and ignite the upper canopy.
VERTICAL CONNECTIVITY OF BUSHFIRE FUEL - A STRONG INDICATOR OF HOW QUICKLY A FIRE WILL MOVE ALONG THE GROUND AND INTO THE CANOPIES.
Blue Low - Red High
Areas of high fuel load density and high vertical connectivity represent the most extreme fire danger. Fire services can use this data to better plan prescribed burns and bushfire response by using vertical connectivity foliage data.
Our LiDAR system can see foliage that's invisible below the canopy to give the most accurate and timely fuel load data in these stratified zones:
near-surface 25-70 cm elevation
elevated fuel load 70-200 cm elevation
lower canopy 2-5 metres.
BUSHFIRE FUEL IS INVISIBLE BELOW THE TREE CANOPIES.
LIDAR CAN SEE WHAT'S INVISIBLE TO AERIAL IMAGERY.
OUR LIDAR CAN MEASURE BELOW THE CANOPY AND HIGHLIGHT WHERE MOST OF THE FUEL IS.
THIS IMAGE SHOWS HOW MUCH FUEL LOAD THERE IS BETWEEN 2 AND 5 METRES ELEVATION.
Low = Maroon, High = Yellow
INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
The third data suite we’ve added is property-specific assessments that analyse fuel loads, bushfire attack level, and significant water body identification.
PROPERTY SPECIFIC FUEL LOAD
Individual fuel load assessments of any property in a captured area are done by applying their boundary data (cadastral) and calculating all data within it. Assessments are rapid and easily scaled from individual properties to businesses, commercial land, to hundreds of square kilometres.
he images above show how we can analyse specific properties and isolate the exact fuel loads on them.
SIGNIFICANT WATER BODY EXTRACTION AND CANOPY CLEARANCE
Our system automatically identifies significant water bodies and assesses their potential utility during bushfires.
The system recognises pools, dams, and other water features and verifies their distance from tree canopies. That data tells emergency services exactly where fire-fighting platforms like helicopters or trucks can find usable water sources. Canopy separation is vital for helicopters that need to take on the water safely.
BUSHFIRE ATTACK LEVEL ASSESSMENTS
Our accurate bushfire fuel load data makes the standardised Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) classifications faster and more consistent.
BAL ratings include Fire Danger Index, the slope of the land around the structure, and vegetation surrounding a property. Our LiDAR captures include Digital Terrain Maps (DTM) that show land slopes and our bushfire fuel load measurements are a complete assessment of vegetation around a property.
We can make BAL assessments faster, and based on more accurate data than any previous method. Subsequent captures can update BAL classifications over time.
MARKET READY, ADAPTABLE, AND SCALABLE BUSHFIRE SERVICES
Our bushfire fuel load mapping service is ready to improve Australia’s capability to prepare for and respond to bushfires. No other fuel load assessment system captures at this scale, accuracy, or depth of data in such a short time frame. The service is adaptable anywhere we can collaborate with fire services to get foliage burn data.