As wildfires grow more frequent and devastating due to climate change, the need for rapid detection and effective response has become critical. Current satellite-based methods often provide outdated or low-resolution imagery, which makes it difficult to respond to fires before they cause widespread destruction.
Back in July, we also reported about a similar startup called OroraTech that received €20M to build satellite-based wildfire system in Greece. It’s an interesting read too.
In an effort to address this growing threat, Google Research, in collaboration with the Earth Fire Alliance and other key partners, has developed a groundbreaking satellite constellation called FireSat.
This satellite system, purpose-built for wildfire detection, aims to transform how emergency responders track and manage wildfires globally. By providing real-time, high-resolution data, FireSat has the potential to drastically reduce the response time to wildfires, helping to mitigate their effects and improve safety.
What is the problem?
Wildfires have become more common and more destructive over the last decade, fueled by rising global temperatures and prolonged droughts. The hotter, drier climate conditions have led to faster-spreading fires, which are harder to contain. Until now, firefighting agencies have relied on satellite imagery that updates only a few times a day, with relatively low resolution. This delay means that fires often grow large before they are detected, making it much harder to control them.
Reportedly, Chris Van Arsdale, climate and energy research lead at Google Research and chairman of the Earth Fire Alliance, emphasized the challenge in wildfire detection and said that in the satellite image of the Earth, a lot of things can be mistaken for a fire: a glint, a hot roof, smoke from another fire. So, detecting fires becomes a game of looking for needles in a world of haystacks.
In the face of these challenges, FireSat offers a solution: the ability to detect wildfires as small as 5×5 meters (roughly the size of a classroom), long before they become uncontrollable. This will allow emergency responders to act faster, preventing small fires from evolving into massive, destructive blazes.
How FireSat works
FireSat is not just any constellation of satellites. Developed with a specific focus on wildfire detection, the system uses custom infrared sensors designed in partnership with Muon Space and the Environmental Defense Fund. These sensors can detect heat signatures from fires as small as a classroom anywhere on Earth, updating global images every 20 minutes.
This real-time processing capability is what sets FireSat apart from other satellite-based systems. Traditional systems offer either high-resolution images that are not updated frequently enough or low-resolution images that update frequently but lack detail.
FireSat combines the best of both worlds: high-resolution, regularly updated images that enable early detection of wildfires. This data will be accessible to fire agencies worldwide, helping them allocate resources more effectively and even plan evacuation routes when necessary.
AI-powered response and fire modeling
Google’s contribution to the project extends beyond satellite technology. The tech giant has been leveraging its AI expertise to develop models that improve wildfire detection and prediction. Since 2020, Google has used AI to generate wildfire boundary alerts, now available in over 20 countries. FireSat will build on this work, using AI not only for immediate fire detection but also for long-term fire behavior modeling.
By providing data on the size, intensity, and spread of wildfires, FireSat will contribute to a global historical record of fire activity. This data, combined with Google’s existing fire simulation models, will help scientists and researchers better understand wildfire patterns and develop more effective firefighting strategies.
Impact on firefighting and global response
FireSat’s potential impact on firefighting is immense. By providing real-time data on fire locations, firefighters can be better equipped to respond to fires at their earliest stages. This technology is expected to be especially helpful for countries with fewer resources for wildfire management. Michael Wara, director of the climate and energy policy program at Stanford University, reportedly explained that FireSat will be especially helpful for countries that have less-well-resourced wildland fighting capability.
In well-equipped regions, such as California, where technologies like Department of Defense satellites and drone surveillance are already used, FireSat will provide an additional layer of support. For regions that do not have access to such technologies, FireSat will be a game changer in managing fire outbreaks.
Global fire management and climate change
As wildfires increasingly contribute to global carbon emissions, tools like FireSat will play a critical role in both wildfire prevention and climate change mitigation. A recent study found that wildfires in Canada in 2023 alone released 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide, significantly contributing to global emissions.
However, better detection and faster response times will only be part of the solution. Experts argue that more aggressive policies are needed to manage wildfire-prone regions. This includes controlled burns to reduce fuel buildup in forests and better urban planning to avoid constructing homes in fire-prone areas.
Future for wildfire detection: What do we think
FireSat marks a major leap forward in wildfire detection and management. With the ability to detect small fires in near real-time, it promises to reduce the damage caused by uncontrolled blazes and improve safety for communities worldwide. While the technology is expected to launch its first satellite in early 2025, its full constellation will take a few more years to deploy. Once operational, FireSat will provide invaluable data to both emergency responders and scientists, contributing to better firefighting strategies and a deeper understanding of wildfire behavior.
As wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to the environment and human safety, FireSat represents a critical step in the global effort to combat their growing impact.
