Galicia is stepping up its game in the fight against wildfires by deploying artificial intelligence alongside an expanded network of satellites and cameras. This move comes after the region has been known for experiencing some of Europe’s largest and most destructive fires in recorded history. Regional president Alfonso Rueda emphasizes that these changes are crucial to “adapt to the new reality of fires” that possess “enormous intensity.” The internal fire management platform has been put in place just in time for the high-risk season that kicked off on July 1.
So, how does this new system work? It’s pretty high-tech! The setup utilizes convolutional neural networks, a type of AI model that excels at recognizing patterns in images. It’s designed to identify smoke from any of the 241 surveillance cameras strategically installed in high-risk areas across the region. After two years of pilot testing, findings show that the system can detect a fire from over 15 kilometers away—this distance can increase to 25 kilometers under favorable weather conditions. Can you believe that?
But Galicia isn’t the only one looking to tech solutions for this pressing issue. The trend of incorporating AI and satellite technology in wildfire prevention is spreading across fire-prone areas in Europe and beyond. Just last year, 2025 was recorded as the EU’s most destructive wildfire season, with more than 1,079,000 hectares burned across 25 of the 27 member states. Talk about alarming numbers!
Greece has taken a big leap forward, becoming the first country to embed a dedicated satellite constellation into its national firefighting system. Four small satellites, each no bigger than a carry-on bag and constructed by the German company OroraTech, scan the country twice daily. These satellites are equipped with thermal sensors that can detect flames as small as four meters wide. When a fire is spotted, data regarding its location, size, and intensity is quickly processed by AI and sent directly to national commanders. This allows them to prioritize resources when multiple fires break out simultaneously—smart, right?
Portugal is also getting in on the action, integrating satellite-based detection into its national response. After all, it holds the record for the largest cumulative burnt area of any European country over the past two decades. Southern European countries are increasingly adopting the tech-savvy combination of cameras, satellites, and machine learning that Galicia is now rolling out.
As the summer heats up and the risk of wildfires looms large, it’s clear that technology is stepping up to help in this ongoing battle. Will these innovations be enough to turn the tide against wildfires? Only time will tell…
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber