Technological Advancements:
- As wildfires become an increasing threat, especially due to climate change, satellite technology is being harnessed to better predict, detect, and monitor fires globally. This effort is aided by the growing availability of satellite data and cheaper space launches.
Relevance:GS 3(Disaster Management )
Satellite Roles in Wildfire Detection:
Satellites can detect a variety of wildfire-related phenomena
- Dry areas prone to outbreaks
- Active fires (flaming and smoldering)
- Burnt areas, as well as smoke and trace gas emissions.
Types of Satellites:
- Low-Earth Orbit Satellites (LEO):
- These satellites orbit at altitudes of less than 1,000 km, providing high-resolution ground images.
- However, they can only see a given location for a short period as they sweep across the Earth.
- Geostationary Satellites:
- Orbit at about 36,000 km, remaining fixed over the same part of the Earth’s surface, offering continuous monitoring.
- The trade-off is lower resolution images.
Challenges with Resolution:
- The ability to accurately monitor individual structures during wildfires, like houses in Los Angeles, is difficult at lower resolutions.
- Higher resolution is vital, especially as wildfires increasingly encroach upon human-populated areas.
Innovative Satellite Projects:
- EFA’s New Low-Orbit Satellite Constellation:
- Brian Collins, director of Earth Fire Alliance, plans to launch a new low-orbit satellite constellation.
- The constellation will feature satellites with 5-meter resolution, significantly finer than the 10-meter resolution of current systems like ESA’s Sentinel-2.
- This advancement will help detect smaller fires and provide more detailed data.
- EFA’s plan includes launching four satellites by 2026, with a $53 million budget, and a 55-satellite network costing around $400 million.
- OroraTech’s FOREST-3 Nanosatellites:
- Germany-based OroraTech launched FOREST-3—a nanosatellite system—to deliver fast wildfire alerts and high-quality thermal data.
- The FOREST-3 system aims to improve detection times and provide more precise data on wildfire locations and behavior.
Challenges with Data Management:
- The sheer volume of data being sent by these satellites poses a significant challenge.
- ESA’s Sentinel-2 alone sends down 1 terabyte of data daily, equivalent to the storage of a modern laptop.
- Processing this massive influx of information to extract relevant wildfire data is a complex task.
Machine Learning Solutions:
- Machine learning (ML) techniques are essential in analyzing large data sets, allowing the system to:
- Detect fire signs in real-time.
- Predict fire outbreaks and track their progression.
Impact of Satellite Data on Wildfire Management:
- Satellite networks will provide a near real-time view of global fire activity, allowing for more informed decisions on the ground.
- This data will also play a crucial role in early warning systems and fire prevention efforts, potentially reducing wildfire damage.
