{"id":453210,"date":"2023-07-23T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-23T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/?p=453210"},"modified":"2023-07-23T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T09:00:00","slug":"raging-wildfires-these-innovations-can-help-fight-them-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/raging-wildfires-these-innovations-can-help-fight-them-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Raging wildfires: these innovations can help fight them better"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In addition to the sweltering <a href=\"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/en\/extreme-urban-heat-these-innovations-help-us-out\/\">heat wave<\/a> gripping the South of Europe, wildfires are raging across the continent. Greece is battling multiple wildfires, the most severe in the Dervenochoria region north of Athens. In the town of Loutraki, 1200 children were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/europe\/wildfire-rages-southeast-greek-capital-villagers-told-evacuate-2023-07-17\/\">evacuated<\/a> from a summer camp as flames were nearing the site. Switzerland also finds itself <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/europe\/swiss-forest-fire-could-spread-if-winds-pick-up-authorities-warn-2023-07-18\/\">fighting wildfires<\/a>, as flames raged on the border with Italy. Wildfires are also blanketing the south of Canada as smoke clouds <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/sustainability\/canadian-wildfire-emissions-reach-record-high-2023-2023-06-27\/\">reached Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"io-block io-block__summary\"><ul><li>A sweltering heat wave and wildfires are affecting several countries in Europe, including Greece and Switzerland.<\/li><li>Technologies like drone detection networks, forest sensors, satellite imagery with AI, innovative helicopters, and nano-satellites are being utilized to combat and prevent wildfires.<\/li><li>These technologies provide early fire detection, real-time monitoring, and improved response capabilities to minimize damage.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Every summer, forest fires burn thousands of hectares of land in Europe, with the southern countries being the most affected. With arson still being a problem local governments struggle to tackle, hot temperatures can also favor fire breakouts. As summer temperatures are expected to soar in the years to come, the risk of wildfires will stay high. These technologies can help us out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Drone detection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the many things drones can do, there is the one acting as a sentinel, alerting as a fire breakout happens. Dutch company Avy designed a drone response network that uses their Aera aircraft. These drones feature RGB and thermal cameras that can take snapshots of a given location, spotting several events, including wildfires.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the response network gets an alert, an aircraft flies to the destination, taking pictures that can help accurately spot smoke columns. This information is of great value in the first stages of a fire emergency, as it allows better organize the firefighters\u2019 rescue operations.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-3cb9d723\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/in-case-of-emergency-call-a-drone\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"In case of emergency, call a drone\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">In case of emergency, call a drone<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">Just a few years ago, drone developers found themselves in a modern version of the Wild West, as no clear guidelines or regulations were in place. Meanwhile, drones have undergone a lot of development &#8211; including the materials &#8211; to such an extent that drones can save lives, and can do that in very many ways. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Forest sensors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drones can be great sentinels, but what about having smart guards in the middle of the woods? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dryad.net\/\">Dryad Networks<\/a> developed Silvanet, a sensor system that monitors forests from the inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These small solar-powered sensors can collect real-time parameters such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure levels. Moreover, their embedded gas chip is the game changer. It can spot fire in the smoldering phase \u2013 right before it turns into an open fire. Therefore, forest managers, or rescue units, can be notified in advance, preventing flames from burning hundreds of hectares. Furthermore, Dryad\u2019s sensors are smart enough to distinguish wildfires from other smoke sources, such as cars.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-6132bc8e\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/sensors-can-help-to-catch-forest-fires-in-time\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"Sensors can help to catch forest fires in time\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">Sensors can help to catch forest fires in time<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">Every summer, southern Europe is hit by forest fires, destroying hectares of forest and endangering the environment and wildlife. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Satellite imagery and AI&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, things are better seen from afar. Well, the Earth\u2019s orbit should be far enough. An AI challenge launched by Fruitpunch in collaboration with the European Space Agency &#8211; ESA, gathered a group of software engineers to use satellite images to develop AI algorithms to measure humanity\u2019s impact on planet Earth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Creating models to detect wildfires was part of the task, too. Satellites are equipped with powerful multispectral instruments that allow recording land surface temperature (LST). This same data is used for creating city heat maps tracking urban heat islands. At the same time, LST values help spot wildfires from space, getting accurate information on the flames\u2019 extension, for instance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-6b6a53e0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/detecting-forest-fires-on-satellite-images-with-the-help-of-ai\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"Detecting forest fires on satellite images with the help of AI\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">Detecting forest fires on satellite images with the help of AI<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">Can you use artificial intelligence (AI) to detect forest fires on satellite images? Or can an algorithm show how coral is decaying or how much waste is dumped in the sea by the shipping industry? <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Innovative helicopters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Preventing is good, but is there new technology that can improve the on-field response to fire? Yes, there is. Yearly, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) hosts a design competition, challenging scientists to develop innovative aircraft solutions. Last year\u2019s edition was all about future firefighting planes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A University of Stuttgart team\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/en\/firefighting-aircraft-of-the-future-are-flexible-autonomous-and-can-land-vertically\/\">INFERNO design<\/a> claimed first place in the competition. Their concept plane is a combination helicopter featuring eight horizontal rotors for vertical take-off and landing. The aircraft is powered via hybrid-electric propulsion. In addition, the helicopter can approach water reservoirs that would be too small for conventional seaplanes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Satellite intelligence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And we come back to space again. OroraTech\u2019s nano-satellites provide a global thermal intelligence service. Their over 20 satellites provide real-time monitoring of the Earth\u2019s temperature, allowing their customers to have awareness and control of the situation continuously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, their technology can quickly detect bush-size fires and trace precise fire perimeter locations. Additionally, the system estimates possible fire spread based on the available information sources. The sensor is already assisting the Quebec province, Canada in managing the ongoing fires.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic wp-block-visual-link-preview-link advgb-dyn-35be603a\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/selected\/forest-fire-monitoring-ororatech-launches-first-nanosatellite-putting-the-fire-lookout-in-orbit\/\" class=\"vlp-link\" title=\"Forest fire monitoring: OroraTech launches first nanosatellite, putting the fire lookout in orbit\"><\/a><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-side\"><div class=\"vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"max-width: 150px;\" width=\"150\" height=\"97\" src=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/forest-fire-432877_1920-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-150x999 size-150x999\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/forest-fire-432877_1920-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/forest-fire-432877_1920-1-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/forest-fire-432877_1920-1-1024x661.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/forest-fire-432877_1920-1-768x496.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/forest-fire-432877_1920-1-1536x991.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vlp-layout-zone-main\"><div class=\"vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title\">Forest fire monitoring: OroraTech launches first nanosatellite, putting the fire lookout in orbit<\/div><div class=\"vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary\">OroraTech, a startup formed at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is preparing to launch a fleet of small satellites. They will use infrared cameras to detect temperature anomalies at high temporal and spatial resolutions. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">To the rescue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drones, satellites, and helicopters can make a good team in fighting fires. From preventing to extinguishing flames, they can all be key in minimizing damage and preserving forests amid rising wildfires risk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In addition to the sweltering heat wave gripping the South of Europe, wildfires are raging across the continent. Greece is battling multiple wildfires, the most severe in the Dervenochoria region north of Athens. In the town of Loutraki, 1200 children were evacuated from a summer camp as flames were nearing the site. Switzerland also finds [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2084,"featured_media":495552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[10373,64447,74831,65013],"location":[66582],"article_type":[75557],"serie":[],"archives":[],"internal_archives":[],"reboot-archive":[],"class_list":["post-453210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sustainability-nl","tag-ai","tag-hittegolf","tag-innovatie-2","tag-wildfires","location-europe","article_type-explainer"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":{"subtitle":"Wildfires are raging across Europe and Canada. These five innovations can help us out in preventing and extinguishing them. ","text_display_homepage":false},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Mauro Mereu","author_link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/author\/mauro-mereu\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pexels-pixabay-260367.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Sustainability<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Sustainability<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">AI<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Hittegolf<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">innovatie<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/category\/sustainability-nl\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">wildfires<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">AI<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Hittegolf<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">innovatie<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">wildfires<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 years ago","modified":"Updated 3 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on July 23, 2023","modified":"Updated on July 23, 2023"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on July 23, 2023 11:00 am","modified":"Updated on July 23, 2023 11:00 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/453210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2084"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=453210"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/453210\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/495552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=453210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"article_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_type?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"serie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/serie?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"archives","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/archives?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"internal_archives","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal_archives?post=453210"},{"taxonomy":"reboot-archive","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reboot-archive?post=453210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}