ODF detection operators looking for smoke

ODF detection operators looking for smoke

Cross to determine your today newswatch 12's leah thompson explains how the detection system at odf can zero in on a fire.

Leah says "i'm inside the detection center at the oregon department of forestry.

Now these monitors you see behind me.

This is just one way they can track fires."

Brian this is the detection center it's a room full of monitors, maps, and coordinates.

Checking almost every inch of odf land in jackson and josephine county.

Brian everything that is essential for detecting and responding to fires takes place here.

Odf use to have manned lookout towers.

Not anymore.

Brian the cameras really have paid off these cameras are on 24-7.

Monitoring for any fires.

Brian this type of system its day and night.

It never takes breaks.

Never goes down to the outhouse, never goes to the grocery store.

They are always on looking.

There are 13 camera lookouts.

Across both counties.

And these cameras do more than just show a pretty picture.

Brian there is actually a dual way of detecting where the lighting strike took place.

Brian ballou with odf says the cameras have a triangular lightning tracking system.

It can tell operator's the gps location of where the lightning strike was detected on camera.

Brian the accuracy is pretty darn valuable now.

It's not just lighting the causes fires.

We all know humans do too.

Operators can manually zoom in and focus on an area when smoke is spotted.

Another way