Kelowna company uses AI to map evacuation routes ahead of fire season

When wild fires forcing residents to leave their homes, knowing there is an evacuation route may not be enough.

A technology company in Kelowna, BC, is working to help emergency officials better understand the condition of back roads that can become critical escape routes during a disaster.

But what if the road intended to get people to safety is filled with potholes, loose rocks and potholes, or is not suitable for the vehicle they are driving?

That’s the question Kelowna entrepreneur Ryan Gallagher has been trying to answer since the 2023 wildfire season.

This experience led Gallagher to create Back Road Intel, a system that uses sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor back roads and evacuation routes.

On a recent trip along Chute Lake Road, one of several backlinks in the Central Okanagan, Gallagher noted how quickly conditions can change.

“I was here a week ago, but it wasn’t that bad.” Gallagher said

A little further up the road, conditions became significantly more difficult.

The technology collects information about road surfaces, hazards and road degradation. This data is then analyzed by AI and provided to emergency officials, helping them better understand which routes may be viable during an emergency. It is thought that officials will use this data to carry out where the public needs to go.

But Gallagher says the issue isn’t simply whether a road is open.

A road that can handle a four-wheel drive truck may not be suitable for a family sedan carrying children, pets and emergency supplies.

“Take a look here. Imagine a mother and her children trying to do that,” Gallagher said. “That’s really why I want to understand this.”

The goal is to help emergency planners understand not only which roads are available, but which vehicles can use them safely.

“When it comes to evacuations, the last thing you want is a flat tire or a broken axle,” explains Gallagher. “If you can’t clear these bumps, you’re probably going to have a problem, and that’s a big problem because you can block everyone behind you.”

The company has already begun working with communities across BC, including regional districts, municipalities and First Nations. It is hoped that better information will help emergency officials make better decisions before the next disaster strikes.

For Gallagher, that’s what the technology is really about: making sure people aren’t forced into the unknown when trying to get out of danger.

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