Early Detection Tools Help but They Can’t Stop Every Wildfire
1 min read
Summary
Wildfires are increasingly intense and devastating, making early detection a priority for firefighters.
Among the technologies being touted as solutions are high-definition cameras that can see up to 60 miles in the daytime and 120 miles at night and AI that can automatically detect smoke, as well as satellites and tree-mounted sensors.
However, firefighters warn that early detection has its limits and that in some cases, such as the Camp Fire in California, even the most advanced technology would have made no difference.
One unproven but potentially promising solution from German startup Dryad Networks is to fit trees with remote sensors that can detect wildfire smoke, with each device protecting one hectare of forest and focusing on high-risk areas such as train lines, roads, hiking paths and power lines.