Brushfires are a costly and dangerous natural disaster across Australia, and researchers at Edith Cowan University have developed low-cost sensors to help alert the authorities and the public. The $100 sensors cover a range of 2km, and detect temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to sense smoke. They then send alerts either via the Internet or via a text massage, along with GPS location information.
The toll of brushfires in West Australia (WA) has been bad lately, with 71 homes destroyed in 2009. The sensors could be deployed across WA, and talks are underway with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority regarding a sensor web.
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