The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will use Esri Australia’s geospatial technology to produce a fire management plan for Cape Gantheaume on Kangaroo Island.

Identifying bushfire risk is a part of the plan, as well as providing strategies to minimise bushfire impact on the Cape Gantheaume reserve covering 37500 hectares, which experienced its more recent hit in 2007.

DENR spatial information and geographic information system (GIS) advisor, Iain Malcolm said the GIS technology was used to create Fire Management Maps, which is an interactive, online mapping application for public viewing.

The department is seeking direct consultation and engagement with the community because of its responsibility for public land.

DENR’s fire management program manager, Shane Wiseman said Fire Management Maps has moved the process of mapping online after the public was only able to vuew plans physically using paper-based maps.

The online version has added extra functions, such as focusing on particular zones, save individualised versions and bookmark areas of interest, Mr Wiseman said.

Ersi Australia SA business manager, David Trengove said Fire Management Maps gives users access to five switchable map views covering local terrain and infrastructure, biodiversity, fire history, fire management strategies and implementation.

“You can quickly find a region through the search function, or can use the ‘identify’ tool to view detailed information about features of the map, such as where and when planned burns are scheduled,” Mr Trengove said.

In addition to nine more plans for the technology being scheduled, there are current preparations for the Central Eyre Peninsula, Northern Flinders Ranges, South Para and the Alinytjara Wilurara region in the state’s far north-west.