In fire-prone forests of the Western U.S., one spark can ignite a catastrophic wildfire, spreading rapidly out of control. Under different conditions, however, fire can serve as a natural tool, clearing excess fuel and strengthening ecosystem health. What if we could better spot wildfires as they start, predict where and how they might spread, and equip firefighters with better tools to manage wildfires effectively?

Today marks a critical leap forward for the future of wildfire management—a prototype FireSAT satellite has officially launched!  

FireSAT is a first-of-its kind satellite constellation spearheaded by the Earth Fire Alliance, designed to detect and monitor wildfires. By 2030, as many as 50 satellites could be in orbit, scanning the planet for early signs of fire and delivering crucial data to firefighters, scientists, and communities. This system will be used to accelerate wildfire response times, mitigate damage from extreme wildfires, and support the strategic use of fire where it benefits the land.

A Potential Game-Changer in Fire Detection

FireSAT represents a major leap beyond existing wildfire tracking tools. Wildfire monitoring is currently accomplished largely with a combination of tower-based sensors and aviation resources (fixed wing, helicopters, and drones). These platforms are relied on to provide critical data on firestarts, spread, and intensity, but can be rendered inoperational when smoke is heavy, when fire destroys towers, and when wind conditions are too severe. Satellite remote sensing currently plays a role in wildfire monitoring, but often with low resolution or infrequent data. When fully operational, FireSAT will offer consistent eyes in the skies that see through smoke, wind, and clouds. 

With the ability to detect fires as small as five square meters—about the size of a classroom—and an eventual revisit rate of around 20 minutes, FireSAT will deliver fast, high-resolution data when it is needed most.  

Empowering Firefighters, Scientists, and Communities

While FireSAT is a groundbreaking tool, technology alone won’t solve our wildfire crisis. Managing fire-prone landscapes requires a holistic approach—one that provides fire and forest managers and communities with the resources they need to steward resilient landscapes and protect against catastrophic destruction. 

FireSAT will be a critical tool for firefighters on the frontlines, allowing them to track fire growth and intensity and allocate resources most effectively. Scientists can also use FireSAT data to refine wildfire models and improve understanding of fire behavior and its management. And for communities, timely alerts can help protect lives and property by identifying areas at risk before flames become uncontrollable. 

FireSat will also provide information that allows the use of beneficial fire in landscapes. Not all fire is harmful and fire managers are increasingly using beneficial fire to help reduce fuels and improve ecosystem health. FireSat will provide fire managers much more precise information about fire spread and intensity which they can combine with weather models and topographic maps to direct fire suppression resources in ways that can prevent harmful spread of wildfire and allow fire to burn in beneficial ways in wildlands.

FireSAT is a step toward a future where we don’t just react to wildfires—we anticipate and manage them proactively. With the right tools, strategies, and investments, we can shift from crisis response to a future where fire serves the land rather than threatens it.

Image: The Camp Fire from space. The Camp Fire became the most destructive fire in California’s history, scorching approximately 240 square miles (622 square kilometers), destroying nearly 14,000 buildings, causing billions of dollars in damage and killing 88 people. Credit: NASA