How AI is Helping to Detect Wildfires and Protect Wildlife

Wildfires are becoming a bigger threat to nature and wildlife worldwide. How AI is Helping to Detect Wildfires and Protect Wildlife has become crucial in addressing this growing issue. Recent bushfires in Australia showed how devastating fires can be. To fight this, researchers at the University of South Australia are using small satellites and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect wildfires faster and protect ecosystems. Their efforts highlight How AI is Helping to Detect Wildfires and Protect Wildlife in more efficient ways, safeguarding our environment and natural habitats.

Why Early Detection Matters

Catching wildfires early can greatly reduce their impact. In the summer of 2019-2020, Australia experienced massive fires that burned over 12 million hectares—an area the size of England. The fires affected countless animals, including over 143 million mammals, 181 million birds, and 60,000 koalas.

These fires proved the need for quicker detection so firefighters could act before the flames spread.

The Kanyini CubeSat: A New Way to Detect Fires

Scientists at the University of South Australia created a small satellite called the Kanyini CubeSat. This tiny satellite, with AI-powered software, detects wildfires from space much faster than current methods. While today’s satellites take 6 to 8 hours to spot fires, the Kanyini CubeSat aims to do it in under an hour.

In a test, the AI system spotted smoke in just 14 minutes. This allows firefighters to respond quickly, helping save homes, lives, and wildlife.

The Kanyini CubeSat, developed with the Government of South Australia and other partners, is set to launch soon. This technology could change how we fight wildfires.

Helping Wildlife Recover After Fires

The damage doesn’t end when the fires stop. The 2020 Australian bushfires burned an area twice the size of Ohio and left billions of animals struggling. To track how wildlife recovered, the Eyes on Recovery project was launched by WWF and Google. They set up over 1,000 cameras in burned areas to monitor the return of wildlife.

Dr. Emma Spencer and her team installed these cameras in Blue Mountains National Park. However, they gathered millions of images, many of which were blank, making it difficult to sort through all the data.

AI Makes Data Processing Easier

To manage the huge amount of data from the cameras, researchers created an AI system to quickly analyze the images. The AI can tell the difference between smoke and clouds, speeding up detection and reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed.

This AI cuts the data by 84% and reduces energy use by 69%. It makes the entire wildfire detection process faster and more efficient.

Conclusion

AI and satellite technology are giving us new tools to fight wildfires and protect wildlife. Faster detection allows for quicker responses, preventing massive damage. AI also helps researchers track wildlife recovery, making it easier to protect ecosystems after fires. These advancements offer hope for a better future in wildfire management and wildlife protection.