Google to invest in satellite technology and AI for improved wildfire detection

The Big Tech company has announced a $13 million investment in FireSat

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Google has announced a $13 million investment to improve satellite imaging for wildfire detection, aiming to launch FireSat, a satellite system, by early 2025.

Here are a few key points:

• FireSat will consist of over 50 satellites capable of detecting wildfires as small as 16 by 16 feet, compared to current technology that detects fires only when they reach over an acre. 

• Using machine learning and AI, FireSat will provide real-time data every 20 minutes to help firefighters respond quickly. 

• The initiative, led by the Earth Fire Alliance, aims to enhance emergency responses and create a global record of wildfire behavior, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts. 

• California is already incorporating AI into wildfire tracking, and FireSat will further help train firefighters by offering data on how factors like dryness and wind influence fires.