Greece deploys satellite network to strengthen wildfire response

As Greece prepares for another severe wildfire season, the country is introducing a new space-based system designed to detect fires at their earliest stages.

A dedicated group of compact satellites, each about the size of a toaster oven, will monitor the Earth's surface for signs of emerging wildfires, Caliber.Az reports, citing the AP.

The first four satellites were launched into low-Earth orbit in May, making Greece the first country to incorporate a dedicated satellite constellation directly into its national firefighting strategy.

Developed by German company OroraTech, the satellites are equipped with thermal imaging sensors capable of detecting fires as small as four meters (13 feet) across—far smaller than those typically identified by conventional satellites, which usually detect only much larger blazes.

The launch comes as Europe experiences another intense heatwave, with soaring temperatures signalling the start of a challenging wildfire season.

Wildfires present a particular threat in Greece due to its dry climate, rugged mountains and more than 100 inhabited islands.

Officials say the technology could improve emergency response, protect communities and support Europe's efforts to strengthen its technological independence.

Once a fire is detected, emergency commanders receive immediate information on its location, size and intensity, allowing authorities to prioritise resources when multiple incidents occur simultaneously.

Although thermal sensors can also register heat from solar panels, factory rooftops and sun-heated rock formations, officials say artificial intelligence filters out these false detections before alerts are sent to emergency responders.

Greece recorded its hottest summer on record in 2024 and its third-hottest year last year.

The satellite system complements existing monitoring tools, including drones and ground-based sensors, both of which Greece has significantly expanded since the deadly 2018 wildfire near Athens that killed more than 100 people and prompted major reforms in the country's wildfire response strategy.

The new satellite constellation is expected to improve coverage where international satellite systems have limitations, detect fires in remote locations and provide more accurate data for predicting wildfire behaviour.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov