Innovative solutions for fighting wildfires

Prestigious neighbourhoods, home to some of the most expensive real estate properties in the world are being burned to the ground by Los Angeles’s worst wildfires, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Such dramatic wildfires have devastated countless countries in the past decades and data points to the number of those catastrophes rising steadily. 

Firefighters have been struggling to contain the multiple fire outbreaks due to fierce winds and dry conditions, which created an ideal environment for the fire to spread quickly. As anxieties all over the world grow over the increasing frequency of those fires, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has outlined innovative solutions that are being developed by different industries having come together to improve wildfire prevention measures.  

1. Satellite Monitoring for Early Detection

German startup OroraTech has deployed mini satellites into low Earth orbit to capture thermal images of the planet, particularly during nighttime, when traditional aerial drones are less effective. This advanced technology proved instrumental during wildfires in central Chile and northern Alberta, Canada, by rapidly detecting fires in remote locations before they spread extensively.

2. Tree-Mounted Sensors Predict Fires Early

Dryad Networks, another German innovator, has developed a network of solar-powered sensors that hang from trees to monitor environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and air pressure. These sensors employ a specialized chip with a gas detector to identify smoldering fires and issue warnings in under an hour. Unlike traditional camera and satellite-based systems, which may take hours or even days to detect fires, these sensors use artificial intelligence (AI) to differentiate forest fires from other heat sources, such as diesel vehicles.

3. Drone-Based Fire Detection

Drones are emerging as powerful tools for wildfire detection. For example, the Dutch-made Avy Aera drone is being tested in collaboration with Dutch institutions to explore its role in early wildfire detection. Equipped with AI, the drone enhances surveillance capabilities by monitoring larger areas more quickly and providing advanced imaging for fire control rooms. This technology could potentially replace aircraft traditionally used for monitoring fires in protected areas like the Netherlands’ National Park De Hoge Veluwe.

4. Innovative Firefighting Aircraft

When prevention fails, efficient firefighting is critical. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) hosted a competition in 2022 to design next-generation firefighting aircraft. The winning concept, INFERNO (Intelligent FirE RespoNse Operation), created by the University of Stuttgart, features a hybrid helicopter-aircraft design with eight rotors for vertical takeoff and landing. Powered by a hybrid electric system, INFERNO can collect water from small and large sources, making it versatile and effective for fire suppression in diverse environments.

5. Smart Risk Mapping in Türkiye

Türkiye has developed an interactive wildfire risk map that leverages AI and machine learning to predict wildfires with 80% accuracy, 24 hours before they occur. Drawing on historical, meteorological, and geographical data, this system provides authorities with crucial lead time to prepare and respond. The FireAId initiative, supported by organizations like Microsoft, Google, and NASA, promotes global collaboration to enhance wildfire prediction and prevention through advanced technologies, including drones and AI.

6. Weather Manipulation to Induce Rain

The concept of weather modification, particularly cloud seeding to induce rain, offers a futuristic approach to wildfire management. By introducing substances like silver iodide, salt, or frozen CO2 into clouds, large droplets form around condensation nuclei, eventually colliding to produce precipitation. While the injecting clouds from aircraft has shown the best results, the process is highly dependent on specific weather conditions, including wind direction, air temperature (not warmer than -8°C), and sufficient humidity.

7. Mobile Doppler Radar for Fire Insights

Mobile Doppler radar technology could revolutionize wildfire management by providing a detailed 3D view inside fires. Developed by researchers at Monash University in Australia, the radar monitors smoke plumes, ash particles, embers, and insects in real time, offering insights into fire behavior, including ember movements and unexpected winds. Trials during controlled burns in Western Australia demonstrated its effectiveness in hazard detection. Unlike fixed radars or satellites, this mobile radar is less hindered by smoke and limited observation windows, promising significant improvements in decision-making and safety during wildfires.

These advancements represent a multifaceted approach to wildfire management, combining prevention, detection, and suppression technologies to address the escalating global wildfire crisis.

By Nazrin Sadigova