NORTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NAIT researchers develop early wildfire detection system for remote Métis settlement

NAIT Applied Research has partnered with the Peavine Métis Settlement to develop a wildfire detection system designed to help protect the community. The project comes after the devastating Grizzly Complex wildfire in May 2023, which forced the evacuation of the settlement and left lasting emotional and environmental impacts.

"It has been a couple of years since the 2023 fire that had us evacuating our homes, since then it has been haunting to watch others go through the same trauma every time a wildfire pops up," said Lynn Smith, Regional Planning Coordinator with the Peavine Métis Settlement. "We are ever so grateful to all that helped our community and in turn I feel this project is a way of paying it forward, by partnering with NAIT and creating an early warning system. I predict great things with this partnership going forward."

The initiative, led by NAIT's Centre for Sensors and System Integration, aims to provide the community with early warnings of wildfire threats through a network of environmental sensors placed in the surrounding forest.

"The detection system uses compact sensor units that will be placed in trees covering a range of tens of kilometers outside the community," said Dr. Quamrul Huda, JR Shaw Applied Research Chair, Centre for Sensors & System Integration. "These units monitor smoke, temperature, humidity, and air quality, transmitting data wirelessly to a central hub in Peavine where trained staff interpret the information."

The goal is to identify wildfire conditions before they escalate, offering precious time for response and evacuation if needed.

The system is currently being refined and validated through a co-location placement at Alberta Capital Airshed's Edmonton McCauley station before full deployment in Peavine, expected ahead of the next wildfire season.

Beyond immediate safety, the system will collect long-term environmental data to help identify patterns and predict wildfire risk. The project also holds promise for broader application across Alberta and Canada, where communities face increasing wildfire threats.