Camera installed in South America’s tallest building to detect forest fires

A modern camera for the remote detection and localization of forest fires has been installed on the 62nd floor of the Sky Costanera Viewpoint. The Costanera Center is the tallest building in South America, at 300 meters high. 

This important prevention system was installed thanks to a public-private collaboration between the Metropolitan Region National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) and Cencosud Shopping Centers’ Sky Costanera Business Unit. 

The executive director of CONAF, Christian Little, explained that the camera has technology specially developed for the detection and localization of forest fires. It contains an artificial intelligence model that uses deep learning to detect fires via their smoke columns.  

Camera coverage to detect forest fires 

The camera will have a view of the municipalities of Lo Barnechea, Vitacura, Providencia, Las Condes, Ñuñoa, La Reina, Peñalolén and La Florida, with a visual coverage of more than 18,000 hectares (44,500 acres). 

This resource provides protection mainly for the foothills of Greater Santiago. It has a view of more than 50% of this area of high ecological value – equivalent to 7,318 hectares (18,000 acres) – which is home to urban parks such as Aguas de Ramón, Mahuida and Quebrada de Macul. 

Furthermore, this camera will also serve to detect fixed sources of pollutants during the Critical Episode Management (GEC) period that extends from March 1 to October 31. The GEC is monitored by the Environment Ministry; however, CONAF is obliged to supervise according to Supreme Decree 100, which regulates the use of fire in the elimination of agricultural waste. 

The region now has three cameras with artificial intelligence, the others being located in the municipality of Melipilla. The new camera, installed in the Sky Costanera Viewpoint, provides a new resource for visual coverage. 

Complementary to the installation of the camera, in the 360° of the Sky Costanera Viewpoint, there will be an exhibition by the Forest Fire Prevention Department, based on its four areas of work: Territorial Management; Fire Use Administration; Education and Dissemination; and Analysis and Diagnosis.