Google has announced a $13 million investment aimed at launching a cutting-edge satellite constellation designed to detect wildfires faster than ever. Partnering with fire experts, the initiative will leverage AI and advanced satellite imagery to spot fires as small as 16 by 16 feet in under 20 minutes, significantly improving the current detection time and accuracy.
The new system, dubbed FireSat, will provide real-time data on the location, size, and intensity of wildfires in their early stages. By delivering immediate updates, FireSat aims to empower firefighters to act more quickly and prevent fires from escalating into large-scale disasters.
Wildfires have been increasing in frequency due to climate change, with hotter, drier conditions making them more common worldwide. Current satellite imagery tools are often low in resolution and only update a few times per day, leading to delays in detecting fires until they grow larger than a soccer field.
To overcome this challenge, Google Research collaborated with Muon Space and the Environmental Defense Fund to create custom infrared sensors for FireSat, which can accurately detect smaller fires. The system’s AI will compare any specific spot on Earth with previous imagery while factoring in local weather conditions and nearby infrastructure to determine if a fire is present.
In preparation, the team tested the detection model by flying sensors over controlled burns, ensuring that the AI can identify smaller fires reliably. The first satellite in the constellation is slated to launch early next year, with the full network of satellites following soon after.
The project will be overseen by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, supported by the Moore Foundation and Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org. FireSat’s data will also contribute to a global historical database on fire spread, enhancing wildfire modeling and providing critical insights to scientists. This will complement Google’s ongoing work with the U.S. Forest Service to simulate and study wildfire behavior.
Google has been involved in wildfire detection for several years. Since 2020, the tech giant has used AI models to create wildfire boundary alerts in over 20 countries. Earlier this year, Google released FireBench, an open-source dataset for wildfire research, further supporting the global effort to better understand and combat wildfires.
“As we work to expand our wildfire detection capabilities, AI and data play a crucial role in delivering timely information to emergency responders while opening new avenues for scientific research,” Google stated. “We remain committed to collaborating with the fire community to tackle the growing threat of wildfires.”
By marrying AI and satellite technology, Google hopes to reshape how wildfires are detected and managed, giving firefighters the tools they need to save lives, property, and ecosystems.
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