FireSat Launches 3 Satellites to Spot 16-Foot Wildfires as 50-Satellite Network Takes Shape
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 6
FireSat Launches 3 Satellites to Spot 16-Foot Wildfires as 50-Satellite Network Takes Shape
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 6
Summary
Three FireSat satellites are set to launch Tuesday from Vandenberg, starting a system meant to give firefighters earlier warning and more detailed wildfire intelligence.
The first phase of the planned 50-satellite constellation will eventually scan the globe every 20 minutes, using thermal sensors that can detect fires as small as 16 feet across and distinguish smoldering from hotter blazes.
Earth Fire Alliance funded the project with $69 million from the Bezos Earth Fund, Google and the Moore Foundation, while Muon Space built the satellites and Cal Fire joined as a partner.
Data from the first three satellites will be shared in coming months with Cal Fire and agencies in Oregon, Texas, Australia and Portugal, though one wildfire analyst said turning the imagery into frontline decision tools will take time.
The system aims to improve on current NOAA coverage, which can only place a fire somewhere within a 1,230-foot square, and could sharpen evacuation, air-quality and fire-growth forecasts worldwide.
As AI spots fires from space in seconds, are ground crews equipped to handle the data revolution?
Billionaires are funding a global fire watch. Who will ultimately own and control this vital climate data?
FireSat: The World’s First 50-Satellite Network for Early Wildfire Detection and Global Crisis Prevention
Overview
Driven by climate change, hotter and drier conditions are turning manageable fires into catastrophic events, creating a global wildfire crisis. In response, the FireSat program has launched the world’s first satellite constellation dedicated to wildfire detection and prevention. By providing critical early warnings, FireSat enables rapid response and mitigation, helping to stop small fires before they grow out of control. Its advanced infrared technology has already proven effective, detecting small roadside fires in Oregon. This innovative approach marks a major step forward in global wildfire management, offering hope for better protection against escalating fire threats.