CUTTING-EDGE fire detection technology from Europe should be trialed in local communities this summer, said member for McEwen Fran Bailey.
Fran wants the automated German bushfire detection system, based on technology developed for NASA to map the surface of Mars, installed in the 90 days left before the next fire season.
A proposal to install the digital sensing system will be put to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd by Fran when Parliament resumes after the winter recess on August 11.
Fran has been investigating the Firewatch system, which can detect smoke and blazes from up to 40km away within minutes using constant surveillance equipment and software.
"It is vitally important to our local communities and all people in fire-risk areas that we have the best technology and the best resources in place," Fran said.
"I will be asking the Prime Minister to provide partial funding for a trial of the Firewatch system developed by the German Aerospace Institute.
"Firewatch employs the very type of technology needed to make our communities safer and it provides firefighters with a high level of accurate information to use in combating fires."
Fran said working trials of the technology across Victoria and other states could develop the world’s most sophisticated fire detection technology for Australian conditions.
Firewatch uses electronic camera sensors on unmanned towers, automatically detecting small plumes of smoke, pinpointing the location and estimating its size.
Firewatch measures wind speed, direction, air pressure and humidity. Video surveillance constantly monitors up to 700 square kilometres and can differentiate smoke from dust or a car travelling along a country road.
"No other system does what Firewatch does," Fran said.
Roadside clearing
Meanwhile, Fran is gaining strong community backing for urgent roadside fuel reduction programs.
"In Germany and Portugal, 10-metre clearings provide safe escape routes," Fran said.
"European countries make saving lives the top priority in their forest fire strategies."
Her call for action was echoed by the State Member for Northern Victoria, Donna Petrovich, who raised the issue in State Parliament this week.
"Back in November 2007 I raised this crucial issue of reducing fuel loads alongside the roads in country Victoria because I was desperately worried about the dry, fallen timber and vegetation that had piled up and become a fire hazard waiting to combust," Mrs Petrovich said.
"This danger is lying alongside every country road in Victoria and unfortunately this situation became a reality on Black Saturday.
"With the next fire season less than four months away, dried-out vegetation remains a real threat and a time bomb once again waiting to go off.
"As I said two years ago, it is a fine balance between protecting the environment and protecting our property and lives.
"As a strong advocate for fuel reduction programs I believe this can be done while remaining sensitive to the environment.
"We need to provide a setback for roadside trees and remove dangerous overhanging tress and the dead and fallen trees."
Mrs Petrovich urged the Minister for Environment and Climate Change to take a drive down any country road and do his own visual risk assessment.
"He will see first hand the incredible danger country Victorians continue to face," she said.
In the interests of fair and balanced reporting, The North Central Review has asked BEAM, the Mitchell Environment Group, to put the case for leaving roadsides uncleared.
However, to date we have had no response to our emails and phone calls.
In our issue of March 24 we featured an article by Tallarook artist and author Robert Hollingworth, arguing that roadsides should be left untouched which is now available online under 'Roadside Clearing Debate'.
