Extreme events associated with the climate change are mobilising more and more resources and technological innovation. In the case of forest fires, the impact on the ecosystem of flora and fauna, beyond their natural recurrence, which is necessary for the diversity of the environment itself, aggravates the effects derived from the desertification associated with rising temperatures and drought. The major technologies of the digital revolution have been called upon to design prevention, detection, extinction and reforestation strategies.
The solutions of detection and prevention The prevention of forest fires can be as strategic as those currently concentrating the largest budgetary efforts: firefighting. Mastering the technologies of intelligent data capture, communication and analysis is just as important as advancing developments in new materials and techniques to extinguish fireone of the most devastating effects of climate change.
Putting out the fire with more accessible data and public-private collaboration
With 2022 seeing a record number of wildfires in south-western Europe, it is reassuring to know that the number of patent applications relating to technologies to combat them has risen since 2011 at an annual rate of 56,54%, with a particular surge from 2015 onwards. However, there is a certain imbalance between the different phases: the fire-fighting sector receives the highest number of patent applications, ahead of detection, prevention and protective equipment, and particularly post-fire restoration, the sector in which the fewest patents are filed. In a country such as Spain, response times range from 15 to 30 minutes and, by that point, depending on weather conditions, a fire may already have developed into a major blaze. Hence the need to shift the focus of innovation towards detection and prevention – which is the aim of initiatives such as the European Patent Office’s (EPO) information-gathering platform. By country, China is by far the country with the highest number of published patent applications, followed by South Korea, although Russia, Australia and Spain have a greater presence in the field of forest fires than their global ranking in patents would suggest. .
This trend towards extinction is also evident in the allocation of funds for forest fire risk management. Most of these funds come from public budgets, usually through a combination of contributions from local, state and national governments and agencies. Due to the increasing frequency and severity of forest fires, countries have tended to increase existing funding. The United States almost doubled its annual budget between 2011 and 2020, reaching $6,000 million, whilst another country severely affected by wildfires, Portugal, increased this budget by 120% between 2017 and 2021, to 316 million euros. Although there are cases such as Australia, where a large proportion of the funding is generated through insurance premiums, in most cases the increase in public funding has been financed through budget reallocations. The issue to be analysed is that, despite growing recognition of the need to invest in prevention, the increase in available funds has been used primarily to strengthen emergency response capacity. Spending on extinguishing forest fires remains up to six times higher than that allocated to prevention, an imbalance which the OECD considers to be exacerbated by frequent «fire borrowing» – that is, the practice of diverting funds earmarked for prevention to finance emergency response and recovery. In practice, as a result of all this, the funds available for measures aimed at preventing forest fires have simply decreased, and the gap with other activities has continued to widen. .
Detection and prevention must, in any case, be intelligent. We have been very effective at extinguishing fires over the last 100 years, but at times this approach has run counter to natural disturbance patterns, according to which forests are meant to burn in regular cycles. Without human suppression efforts, forest fires are more frequent but less intense because the build-up of fuel is not as pronounced. So-called “mosaics” form across the landscape – patches of burnt forest that act as natural firebreaks. Detection requires more readily available information and better processing tools. In the coming years, a digital ecosystem of data platforms will be crucial in helping the world understand and combat a range of environmental hazards, from air pollution to methane emissions. It is telling, in this regard, that for 68% of the environment-related Sustainable Development Goal indicators, we do not have sufficient data to enable us to assess progress. .
Among the initiatives to enhance remote sensing capabilities and complement the work of human observers, Canada’s FPInnovations’ Wildfire Operations Research project has used industrial-grade film smoke machines to train fire detection technologies to recognise wildfires. It currently provides data to technology providers interested in training their artificial intelligence (AI). An even more significant initiative was undertaken by the Disaster Laboratory, the Combustion Modelling Laboratory and the Fire Research Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with two innovative start-ups that emerged from its campus: Gridware and Squishy Robotics. More than 80,000 square metres of vegetation were set alight by the Fire Department in a controlled burn aimed at creating a firebreak at the forest edge of the town of Novato. Researchers and companies attended to collect valuable data that would enable them to advance their innovations. In the case of Gridware, for example, the aim was to refine its small box packed with sensors and microphones – which can be mounted on an electricity pole with just four screws – to monitor the surrounding environment. It incorporates integrated machine learning (ML) processing to detect anomalies and send notifications. To devise an appropriate strategy, it is not just a matter of gathering real-world data, but also of observing how different subsystems react in a volatile environment. .
Most regions of the Mediterranean will need to invest in prevention measures to adapt to climate projections which indicate that the annual number of days with a maximum temperature exceeding 37 degrees will increase across the region, and will even double in North Africa, in southern Spain and in Turkey, rising from 30 to 60 days by 2050. From planting fire-resistant trees to reducing the amount of available fuel in the form of leaf litter and undergrowth, or carrying out controlled burning, there are many key areas of action. Many geographical areas could also experience a reduction in water supply of between 10% and 25% between 2030 and 2050, which will further increase the risk of wildfires and the diseases associated with them. A study examined two Californian catchment areas that had been burnt following the severe fires of 2015 and, by comparing water quality in streams and surface lakes, detected 67 % more dissolved organic carbon, 418 % more dissolved organic nitrogen and 192 % more total ammonia in the burnt catchments. When organic carbon interacts with halogens such as chlorine—which is used to disinfect water along the distribution network—it can produce disinfection by-products that damage chromosomes and living cells, increasing the risk of cancer and birth defects. .
On the Iberian Peninsula, for example, the annual area burnt is forecast to double by 2050. The adoption of new technologies, particularly those linked to AI, is likely to coincide with demographic changes in the workforce dedicated to fighting forest fires. In many developed countries, highly experienced personnel have begun to retire or are on the verge of doing so. AI should be developed to capitalise on these professionals’ decision-making skills. It should codify the thought processes they have been using and help less experienced personnel to manage crises. .
It is essential to monitor the risk of wildfires and their spread in real time, as the EU is doing through its EFFIS (European Forest Fire Information System) programme. NASA’s Ames Research Centre in Silicon Valley is seeking to tackle large-scale forest fires in new ways. The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) draws on NASA’s expertise to develop an air traffic management system that integrates remotely piloted aircraft into fire-fighting operations when pilots are unable to fly due to low light or other conditions of poor visibility. They call it the «second shift», and it will enable wildfires to be tackled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Approximately a quarter of all wildland firefighter fatalities are aviation-related, according to the US Forest Service. The Wildland FireSense project, meanwhile, draws on NASA’s resources and its decades of Earth observation data to aid decision-making before, during and after a fire. And NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) uses Ames’ supercomputers to generate unprecedented insights from vast amounts of data.
Previously, most satellite data was up to three years old. Now it provides details down to the level of individual trees and enables firefighting teams to monitor the spread of vegetation. However, there are still issues with accessing this information. Data available free of charge tends to be of lower quality or lower frequency: for an area of just 100 km², the free version produces four images a month, whilst upgrading to daily updates costs 20,000 euros a year; and, similarly, the difference in resolution between the free and paid versions can range from 100 to 3 m²/pixel respectively. Added to this are issues with the data format (satellite images with 2D resolution and multiple spectral bands are bulkier than other formats) or the cumbersome process of stitching together neighbouring images, which some applications resolve, but for a fee. This has led to initiatives such as the World Economic Forum’s FireAId Project, which uses heatmaps and artificial intelligence algorithms to identify specific features in satellite imagery, with the aim of making the technology more widely accessible.
The Caltech Keck Institute for Space Studies brought together representatives from Google, Planet, Fireball, Tecnosylva, Interterra, WildFireSat, FireSat, NOAA, the National Weather Service, the US Fire Service and CalFire, amongst others, to analyse the technological and administrative tools available. They made four recommendations for managing the threat of mega-fires, based on improved coordination and the use of technology to detect and track them. Firstly, more accessible fire-fighting technology is needed, as fires can now be detected within five minutes of breaking out. Fireball International’s satellites detected the 2019 Kincade fire in 66 seconds; the ALERT system verified a fire within three minutes thanks to its network of cameras and sensors coordinated by the universities of Reno, Nevada and Oregon; NASA’s satellites and high-altitude aircraft can monitor the fire’s thermal signature and measure the amount of available fuel; and CalFire and Tecnosylva integrate data from these sources, from classified government sources and from firefighters’ GPS data in the field to create simulations designed to guide real-time decision-making. Wherever possible, the information should be freely available and coordinated from a single data exchange centre.
The aim is to combine new detection and fire-suppression technologies based on all of this. FireMap, an artificial intelligence-based platform developed by WIFIRE Lab – a spin-off from the San Diego Supercomputer Centre – can generate a predictive map of the fire’s expected path in a matter of minutes. And the Ignis system, a funnel-shaped device developed by Drone Amplified, which is mounted beneath a drone, can dispense 450 small incendiary balls – known as ‘dragon’s eggs’ – in around four minutes. These contain two chemicals that react upon hitting the ground, deliberately starting small fires to deny fuel to a larger, approaching blaze. Most electric drones can currently only fly for around fifteen minutes when carrying payloads, whilst petrol-powered drones can fly for longer but cannot carry heavy loads. Parallel Flight Technologies is developing commercial drones capable of carrying equipment heavy enough to assist firefighters. .
In line with this, the second recommendation from the organisations brought together by Caltech called for coordination between all parties and the sharing of data. In the commercial and defence sectors, technologies such as mobile area networks are used which can improve communications in terrain that is particularly challenging and dangerous for wildfire response. Unmanned aerial and ground vehicles can also be adapted, and tools for predictive wildfire modelling can be improved by expanding researchers’ access to archived satellite data from the Ministry of Defence and other government sources. A key aspect of this task is to develop a regulatory and operational framework that cuts across the various administrations involved, and an ambitious concept of operations governing ground movements, airspace and all other relevant factors. .
Thirdly, the issue of funding must be resolved by ensuring that the private sector plays a more prominent role and becomes more involved. There are currently few mechanisms in place to establish a sustainable business model based on the actual costs of wildfires, so that the value of the services provided can be estimated, particularly if a public-private partnership model is to be adopted. The fourth recommendation from the group convened by Caltech was to support the implementation of local solutions that can prepare communities and help them build resilience to future fires. This begins with proactive planning and includes improved building codes and zoning regulations. It is significant, for example, that in a region such as California there are almost 65,000 kilometres of overhead power lines in areas at high risk of fire. Burying or covering this infrastructure costs between 3 and 5 million dollars per 1.6 kilometres, which is why there is growing support for the implementation of new models such as clean-energy-powered microgrids – utilising local wind and solar power with battery storage – which avoid the need to transmit energy over long distances.
There are movements, more closely aligned with the social innovation approach, which advocate incorporating the traditional knowledge and practices of local communities and indigenous peoples into the development of new technologies, as these could help to improve the efficiency of forest fire management strategies. The Forest Defence Groups operating in Catalonia (ADF, from the Catalan acronym) have evolved through a bottom-up process and have become well-established institutions with strong links to the local community. Research into their contributions to socio-ecological resilience in the areas where they operate shows that the ADFs help to strengthen this resilience in various ways and pave the way for creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration through which local communities can engage with the issues that directly affect them, such as forest fires. On another front, the XPRIZE organisation launched the XPRIZE Wildfire in the spring of 2023, a four-year global competition which, at the outset, had raised $11 million in prize money. Its approach is more comprehensive than that of public funding. In terms of prevention, teams will have one minute to accurately detect all fires across a landscape larger than entire countries, and 10 minutes to accurately characterise and report data to the authorities with the fewest possible false positives. .
Israel may well become a model of best practice. In 2020, it recorded 1,020 forest fires across more than 600 square kilometres, but the following year the figure fell to 814, and in 2022 it dropped to 448 fires across 186 square kilometres. Its key technology is a thermal imaging system called Tinshemet-Toren (common owl), a drone that flies 100 metres above the ground to collect data and share it in real time in all visibility conditions, including darkness. It is paired with a powerful thermal camera mounted on a 30-metre mast that can be integrated onto a vehicle, giving it mobility. These two devices detect any heat or irregular movement and pinpoint its exact location within a 100-kilometre radius, from a lit cigarette to a fire. .
European leaders in patents and dedicated to modelling fire
Spain is the leading country in the European Union in terms of patent applications in the field of forest fires. The United States and Spain account for 7.3% and 6.2% of applications, respectively. Given the dramatic impact that wildfires have on the country’s environment each year, numerous research initiatives have been launched. FIRE-RES is a four-year project (2021–2025) led by the Centre for Forest Science and Technology of Catalonia in Spain and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It is developing a holistic and integrated fire management strategy to tackle extreme fire events in Europe. To this end, it has been organised into 11 Living Labs through its innovation activities. FIRE-RES plans to develop 34 innovations related to the project’s four pillars, which will enable Integrated Fire Management measures for prevention and preparedness, detection and response, and restoration and adaptation. The innovation activities of this project include any tool, process or methodology that enables progress towards an integrated model for the management of extreme forest fires.
As for disruptive strategies to improve fire-fighting efforts, there are several promising ideas, including the notion of breaking down the problem of fire spread into separate parts, as it is easier to model each one independently. Researchers at the Basque Centre for Applied Mathematics (BACM) have presented an interesting line of research involving the modelling of the “fire front” in two parts: a drift component, tracked by a partial differential equation that can be solved using higher-order finite difference methods, which, are, however, computationally complex; and a fluctuating component, driven by a multidimensional reaction-diffusion equation (inspired by studies of turbulence).
The telecommunications sector is, naturally, sensitive to innovations in this field. At the 2023 GTI Awards in Barcelona, T-Mobile US won the Innovative Mobile Application and Service Award for Pano AI, a provider of disaster preparedness technology solutions, which uses the 5G network to monitor, detect and help prevent wildfires in rural areas and stop them from getting out of control. Pano AI deploys ultra-high-definition cameras, and its proprietary artificial intelligence platform constantly scans for and identifies wildfires in their early stages. T-Mobile’s extensive 5G network enables it to capture high-quality video footage in high-risk areas and transmit large volumes of data to its control centre in real time. .
As for notable companies, the Spanish firm Technosylva was recognised in the summer of 2023 by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, as a key component of his state plan to invest $2.7 billion over the next four years in wildfire prevention, response and technology integration. Technosylva specialises in SaaS solutions for wildfire protection planning, risk analysis, simulation modelling and operational response. Its technology has been used operationally by fire services and electricity providers in more than 30,000 wildfire incidents. California’s strategy, in which the Spanish company is involved, aims to map the entire state using LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) technology.
Technologies to break the sides of the ‘fire triangle’
In early June 2023, the newspapers were filled with photos of New York shrouded in an endless cloud of orange dust. These post-apocalyptic images looked as though they had been taken from a science-fiction film, generated by artificial intelligence. However, they were entirely real photographs; the orange colour was due to light scattering caused by pollutant particles from the wildfires in Canada, where by the end of May almost 4.5 million hectares had been burnt – the worst and earliest wildfire season in several decades. In recent years, we have witnessed a worrying increase in the number of fires worldwide. A United Nations study estimates that they will rise by more than 30% by 2050, and by 50% by the end of the century. This trend has been driven by various factors, primarily climate change, but also uncontrolled urban growth and a lack of awareness of safe practices. It is time to tackle this growing challenge and, to do so, we need more advanced fire prevention technologies and solutions.
Prevention technologies include, amongst other things, more sophisticated fire detection systems that use sensors and intelligent algorithms to quickly identify the early signs of a fire. Artificial intelligence algorithms, combined with drones and robots for both detection and firefighting, can catalyse the development of automated and efficient fire-extinguishing systems, such as high-pressure water sprinklers and chemical-based fire suppression systems. In general, fire prevention is a set of measures and actions designed to prevent fires from occurring or spreading, with the aim of protecting lives, property and the environment. Fires are devastating events that can have serious consequences in terms of both loss of life and environmental damage. From small domestic fires to large wildfires, the impact of fire can be catastrophic.
Fire prevention plays a vital role in modern society, as effective measures can save lives and significantly reduce property damage. To ensure effective prevention, it is essential to understand the causes and factors that contribute to the spread of fires. Fires can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as electrical faults, the misuse of heating appliances, careless human behaviour or deliberate acts. Fire prevention encompasses a wide range of strategies and approaches. One of the fundamental pillars is education and public awareness. Disseminating accurate and relevant information on safe practices and the responsible use of fire is crucial to preventing fires. This involves teaching people how to handle and store flammable materials properly, as well as promoting the safe use of electrical appliances and heating systems.
In addition to education, it is essential to have reliable fire detection and suppression systems. The installation and regular maintenance of fire alarms, fire extinguishers and automatic sprinkler systems are key aspects of fire prevention. These systems enable a rapid and efficient response in the event of a fire, thereby minimising damage and allowing more time to evacuate people safely. In this regard, new technologies, such as drones, artificial intelligence and big data, can play a key role in fire prevention by providing more advanced and effective solutions. Thanks to these technologies, both intelligent detection systems and automated extinguishing systems can be designed and developed, enabling early detection and rapid responses to prevent the fire from spreading to large areas. Technology also facilitates the development of new interactive educational tools that raise public awareness.
In short, fire prevention is an essential part of public safety and environmental protection. Through education, public awareness and the implementation of appropriate safety measures and new technologies, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk and impact of fire. This involves not only preventing fires from occurring, but also being prepared to respond effectively in the event of an unexpected incident. Collaboration between public institutions and society is crucial to ensuring effective prevention and a safer world.
Chemistry plays a hugely significant role in the start and spread of fires. It is therefore important to understand it in order to develop effective prevention and fire-fighting strategies. In short, these are complex chemical processes involving the reaction of three essential elements: fuel, oxidiser and heat. These are commonly known as “the fire triangle”. Fuel is any material capable of burning. It can be solid, as in the case of wood in forest fires, but also liquid or gaseous, such as the fuels we use in our daily lives to power homes and cars. The nature and characteristics of different fuels play a fundamental role in the spread and intensity of fires. Some fuels burn very easily, whilst others require higher temperatures. This is why heat is another of the pillars of the triangle, as it is often responsible for providing the energy needed to start and sustain the combustion reaction. This energy barrier, known in chemistry as “activation energy”, is the amount of energy required to initiate the reaction between the fuel and the oxidiser, and varies depending on the components involved. The chemical bonds in the fuel store large amounts of energy and, when burned, break and release this energy in the form of heat. It is an exothermic reaction. Therefore, once this activation energy is overcome and the combustion process begins, this reaction generates heat, and the fire can continue as long as there is sufficient fuel and oxidiser present. Finally, the oxidiser (sometimes also called a combustion agent) is a substance that provides the oxygen necessary for combustion. In most fires, the oxidiser comes from the air, which contains approximately 21% of oxygen.
Some people also add a fourth side to the fire triangle, turning it into a tetrahedron. In this case, they also take into account chemical chain reactions, a direct consequence of fire’s ability to sustain itself, provided there is sufficient fuel and oxidiser available. To extinguish a fire, one must tackle one of the elements of the triangle. Water is often used to put out fires because it directly tackles one of its fundamental components – heat – by rapidly lowering the temperature and halting the spread of the flames. The fire can also be deprived of its fuel, either by removing the flammable material or by creating a physical barrier, such as a firebreak, to prevent it from spreading. Fire extinguishers, for their part, work by cutting off access to the oxidising agent, replacing it with non-oxidising compounds such as carbon dioxide, which halt the combustion reaction. Often, a combination of these methods is used to effectively extinguish a fire.
Beyond the fire triangle and chemistry, climate science plays a decisive role in our understanding of fires. Climate change has played a significant role in increasing their frequency and intensity in many parts of the world, including the fires in Canada in early June 2023. One of the main factors is the rise in global temperatures, which help to create conditions more conducive both to ignition – by making the activation energy more readily available – and to the spread of fires, as they help to sustain the chain reaction. Furthermore, prolonged periods of extreme heat can dry out vegetation and increase its flammability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Heat can also accelerate the decomposition of organic materials, such as leaf litter and dead wood, thereby increasing the amount of fuel available for fires. Another important factor, linked to climate change, is the shift in rainfall patterns, which leads to longer periods of drought in some areas. Prolonged droughts increase the availability of combustible material, such as dry vegetation, which facilitates the spread of fires. In recent years, drought and persistent heat have created the perfect conditions for unprecedented wildfire seasons.
These effects will be particularly severe in especially dry areas such as southern Europe, where 85% of the continent’s fires occur, according to EU reports. Meanwhile, in other regions, climate change may also lead to intense episodes of rainfall followed by periods of drought. Although this might seem like good news at first glance, in reality these rainfall patterns can promote rapid vegetation growth, which will eventually turn into more combustible material, creating conditions conducive to more fires. This is a “double disaster”, according to climate experts at the University of California. Finally, the interaction between climate change and other factors directly resulting from human activity, such as deforestation and poor forest management, further amplifies the risk. Deforestation reduces forests’ ability to act as carbon sinks and disrupts ecosystems, which in turn can increase vulnerability to fires. The improper disposal of plant debris and the accumulation of combustible material can also create conditions conducive to wildfires.
New technologies are opening up new avenues of opportunity in the fight against fires, providing innovative and efficient solutions to tackle this type of disaster. In recent years, we have seen significant advances in the development of specialised technologies that improve fire prevention, detection and suppression. Firstly, in the field of prevention, various solutions have been implemented to reduce risks, thanks to advanced monitoring and early-warning systems that use a combination of sensors, cameras and algorithms to detect anomalies and signs of fire. These systems can quickly identify high-risk areas and alert response teams, enabling immediate action to prevent the fire from spreading. In terms of detection, more accurate and efficient technologies have been developed to identify fires at an early stage. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies has improved detection capabilities by enabling the identification of patterns and behaviours associated with fires, thereby reducing false positives and enhancing accuracy.
Technology is also transforming the way fires are fought and extinguished. Drones have become valuable tools in firefighting, particularly in areas that are difficult to access. These devices are equipped with cameras and systems for spraying water or fire retardants, enabling them to intervene quickly and accurately. Drones can also provide real-time images and data, which helps response and rescue teams to assess the situation and make informed decisions about fire-fighting strategies. Furthermore, specialised fire-fighting robots are being developed that can operate in dangerous and hostile environments, such as burning buildings, and carry out tasks such as spraying water or fire-retardant agents. Their ability to operate in high-risk areas reduces firefighters’ exposure and improves the efficiency of fire-fighting operations. In short, new technologies are revolutionising the way we fight fires. We can expect more advanced solutions and tools to emerge soon to protect lives, property and ecosystems from the devastating effects of fires.
In the fight against fires, surveillance and early detection are crucial for a rapid and effective response. In recent years, innovative technologies have been developed and improved to enable more accurate surveillance and early detection of fires, using new sensors, LiDAR technology and computer vision. One of the most notable advances is the use of new sensors that enable more detailed and continuous monitoring of fire-prone areas. These sensors can include a variety of devices, such as thermal sensors, which detect changes in temperature and can identify abnormal heat sources that might indicate the presence of a fire. The sensors may also be capable of detecting specific gas emissions produced by fires, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which is another major advantage for early detection. LiDAR technology has also proved invaluable in fire surveillance and detection. It uses laser light pulses to measure distance and generate high-resolution 3D maps of the terrain and surrounding vegetation; this is the same technology used by many self-driving cars. The maps generated by LiDAR provide detailed information on the topography of the area, making it possible to identify features relevant to the spread of fires, such as ravines, steep slopes and areas with a high density of flammable vegetation.
Computer vision (which relies, in part, on artificial intelligence) is another technology that has significantly improved fire monitoring and detection. By using algorithms that enable automated image recognition, computer vision can analyse photos and videos from surveillance cameras, satellites and drones to identify patterns and signs characteristic of fires. This includes detecting plumes of smoke, flames and changes in the appearance of vegetation that could indicate a developing fire. Thanks to advances in big data and machine learning, computer vision systems can process large volumes of data in real time, enabling rapid and accurate detection and the generation of alerts to trigger an immediate response. Not only are these systems increasingly featured in scientific publications and patents, but they are also beginning to find real-world applications. In fact, the World Economic Forum has launched an artificial intelligence initiative to prevent fires and tackle a problem which, according to its estimates, already costs more than 50,000 million dollars a year. Thanks to improvements in monitoring and detection, these new technologies are making a significant contribution to protecting not only human lives but also ecosystems and the environment from the devastating effects of fires.
Firefighting using drones and robots is also emerging as a promising and efficient technology in the fight against forest fires. These devices are equipped with specialised gear to carry out firefighting tasks safely and effectively, reducing the risks associated with direct human intervention.
One of the main advantages of drones, for example, is that they are “agile” and able to reach areas that are difficult to access on foot or by helicopter without too much difficulty. They can fly at low altitudes and manoeuvre between trees and structures, enabling them to reach areas where the fire-fighting equipment used by firefighters would normally struggle to operate. In principle, these devices may have limitations when it comes to extinguishing large fires. However, as they can reach the scene of a fire quickly, drones can begin fire-fighting efforts at an early stage, which would prevent the fire from spreading further and minimise damage. In Portugal, for example, this type of drone is already being studied to prevent fires in high-risk areas, with very positive results. In Spain, the Military Emergency Unit also used drones to detect and monitor fires during the heatwaves of 2022. In this instance, firefighters highlighted the advantage of drones equipped with cameras and thermal sensors for operating in low-visibility conditions, where human teams would be completely ineffective. According to experts, having a direct view of the fire scene and being able to manoeuvre the drone towards hotspots enabled the fire to be tackled more efficiently.
As well as being highly versatile in reaching hard-to-reach places, drones are also equipped with systems for spraying water or fire-retardant agents. Work is currently under way to design drones capable of carrying large quantities of water and fire-retardant agents, so that they can make multiple discharges before having to refill their tanks. Drones can operate in hazardous areas without putting firefighters’ lives at risk. Using drones for firefighting reduces direct exposure to the fire and associated hazards, such as becoming trapped beneath unstable structures or being exposed to gas emissions and other toxic substances. This not only protects firefighters but also relieves them of much of the physical strain involved in firefighting, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks, such as evacuating people at risk.
As well as drones, robots are also being used increasingly in firefighting. These robots are designed to operate in hazardous environments, such as burning buildings and forests, where firefighters could be exposed to significant occupational risks. Firefighting robots are equipped with water spray systems and fire-retardant agents, as well as cameras and various sensors to detect and monitor the spread of fire.
Overall, the use of drones, robots and other automated systems in firefighting offers numerous advantages. These devices are fast, versatile and can operate in areas that are difficult to access. Furthermore, drones and robots can respond efficiently at the first signs of danger, enabling an immediate response to fires and preventing them from spreading out of control.
Drones and robots also benefit from advances in artificial intelligence and big data. Artificial intelligence provides these devices with more sophisticated data-processing and decision-making capabilities, enabling them to analyse images, recognise patterns and take swift and effective action to fight fires. This significantly improves their ability to detect fires, map affected areas, assess risks and optimise fire-fighting strategies. Algorithms can be refined by utilising big data – typically public databases – which include thermal imagery, meteorological data, terrain maps and satellite photographs, amongst other sources. By processing and analysing this data, drones, robots and computers can provide detailed information to response teams, enabling them to make more informed and strategic decisions to control the fire before a disaster occurs.
Clearly, science and new technologies play a crucial role in fire prevention: both provide the tools and knowledge needed to understand and address risks through evidence-based strategies. From early fire detection to the rapid extinguishing of fire outbreaks using drones and robots, these innovations improve our ability to anticipate and control fires. However, to prevent natural disasters which, due to climate change, will become increasingly frequent, we must also promote more sustainable practices and policies, and drive forward mitigation and adaptation measures.
