Mathieu Bourbonnais

UBC Okanagan researcher Dr. Mathieu Bourbonnais is pursuing solutions to help communities predict, plan for and prevent destructive wildfires like the 2023 McDougall Creek fire. His low-cost, purpose-built wildfire sensors help pinpoint when forests are most susceptible to ignition. …As an Assistant Professor with UBC Okanagan’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, he’s examining wildfire coexistence. …Dr. Bourbonnais is placing sensors around the Okanagan Valley to pinpoint high-risk locations. …In collaboration with Rogers Communications, Dr. Bourbonnais’ team is leveraging satellite technology to enhance the sensors. The partnership provides access to Rogers’ cellular networks, technical support and deployment strategies crucial for real-time data transmission, particularly in remote areas outside cellular coverage. …Changing management practices without the ecosystem-specific information can lead to repeated damage, which is why Dr. Bourbonnais joined Dr. Lori Daniels of UBC Vancouver in creating the Centre for Wildfire Coexistence.