Slew of Satellite Projects Aims to Head Off Future Wildfires


Los Angeles: As Los Angeles firefighters battle remaining hotspots more than a week into deadly blazes, scientists and engineers hope growing availability of satellite data will help in the future. Tech-focused groups are launching new orbiters as space launches get cheaper, while machine learning techniques will sift the torrent of information, fitting it into a wider picture of fire risk in a changing environment.



According to Lao News Agency, satellites can detect from space areas that are dry and prone to wildfire outbreaks, along with actively flaming and smouldering fires, as well as burnt areas and smoke and trace gas emissions. Different satellites have different roles depending on their orbit and sensor payload, offering varied advantages in observing the Earth. Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, positioned generally less than 1,000 kilometres above the surface, provide high-resolution ground images but only briefly view any given point as they orbit the planet.



Geostationary satellites orbit at around 36,000 km, remaining over the same area on the Earth’s surface, thus allowing for continuous observation but at a much lower resolution. As climate change leads to growing numbers of wildfires encroaching on human-inhabited areas, the resolution offered by these satellites can be crucial.



In Los Angeles, there are satellite observations, but pinpointing exact locations of fires remains challenging, said WKID Solutions’ Natasha Stavros, a wildfire expert who has also worked at NASA. The need for more detailed observations is underscored by the difficulty people face in understanding the proximity and threat of wildfires.



Brian Collins, director of the Colorado-based nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, plans a new low-orbit satellite constellation to complement existing resources. These satellites will feature a sensor with a resolution of five metres, much finer than ESA’s current Sentinel-2 satellites. This advancement means more fires, even small ones, will be detected, which Collins believes will provide a clearer picture of global fire activity.



The Earth Fire Alliance aims to launch four satellites by the end of 2026, with the first set to go up in just a few weeks at a total cost of US$53 million. Genevieve Biggs of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which supports EFA’s satellite project, commented that this investment is minimal compared to the property damage and loss of life caused by wildfires.



Dozens of satellites in orbit could significantly improve fire detection and tracking, allowing for timely decisions on the ground. Germany-based OroraTech recently launched the first of at least 14 nanosatellites designed to deliver fast wildfire alerts and high-quality thermal data, as stated by chief executive Martin Langer. The Moore Foundation is also backing a geostationary satellite project named FUEGO.



Additional data from all these new satellites would be beneficial, said ESA’s Albergel, although the large volume of information can be challenging to manage. Machine learning and artificial intelligence will play key roles in identifying fire signs within the vast data sets, potentially aiding in both predicting and tracking fire outbreaks.



Looking ahead, there is no single solution to tackling wildfires, according to Stavros. A combination of technologies working together will aid emergency responders and reduce fire risks. Beyond detection and tracking, the Moore Foundation’s program also focuses on community resilience and managing fire-prone ecosystems, which involves balancing ecologically beneficial fires with those that are detrimental.