How Artificial Intelligence Is Fighting America's Wildfires

As wildfires have grown in numbers and intensity throughout the western United States, it's caused a run on new kinds of technology that can help fight them. That includes machine learning for data analysis, drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, and satellite surveillance. California alone tracked 4.2 million acres burned in 2020, with five of the six largest fires in state history occurring simultaneously. That has led to multiple tech-driven firefighting solutions being approved in the state, including predictive analysis, fire-spotting from orbit, and AI-powered equipment inspections. "AI-enabled systems are already being used to coordinate disaster relief, conduct reconnaissance, and direct recovery efforts. Detecting patterns, trends, and anomalies in supply chains and for logistical support has also become a common task for Machine Learning algorithms," said JT Kostman, the CEO of artificial intelligence firm ProtectedBy.AI, in an interview with Lifewire.