New satellites use AI to detect wildfires, starting in California

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – The increase in extreme wildfires in California is now worrying technology giant Google.

The company recently made a major investment in the future of fire detection in the Golden State.

According to firefighters, fighting fires in California appears to be an ongoing task.

“We have seen an increase in fires and the entire area has been burned by fires,” said Marcus Hernandez, deputy director of the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development.

So if firefighters can get help, they will accept it.

“There were hundreds of fires before an emergency call came in,” Hernandez said.

He talks about artificial intelligence, the newest tool in the toolbox for fire departments across the state and soon, the country.

After one $13 million investment from Google– As a project, AI fire detection will come from space Fire Sat is getting ready to start.

“We know we will be collecting much more data than ever before,” said Brian Collins, executive director of the Earth Fire Alliance.

Using AI to detect wildfires isn’t exactly new. It's something UC San Diego implemented within its organization last year Alert California program.

It can be found in stations throughout the Golden State and the fire department says it operates 24 hours a day.

“All firefighters are still coming together with the communities we serve to alleviate these emergencies, but the fires definitely don't appear to be going away any time soon.” And we're always looking for ways to eliminate inefficiencies and improve our capabilities,” Hernandez said.

This detection is now transmitted from cameras to satellites.

AI detection from space will begin in California, giving firefighters a bird's eye view.

“So if [the] If a fire is the size of a classroom or smaller, we will pick it up and report it to the public, to fire departments and to fire managers and scientists around the world, every day, every day, every time,” Collins said.

The Fire Sat satellites are expected to be launched from March 2025.