Fighting Fires With Technology

Prisha, who loves science and coding, was determined to tackle the problem herself. Over several months, she developed a computer program that uses artificial intelligence. 

The program collects and analyzes satellite data—including temperature, soil moisture, and wind—to predict wildfires before they start. If a place is at high risk, the program can alert authorities. It can potentially even send drones to spray a substance that can slow the spread of fire.

Systems like Prisha’s—which is still in the works—may be increasingly needed, especially in the United States. New data show that wildfires threaten more of the country than people might realize and that the risk is expected to grow.

Prisha was determined to tackle the problem herself. She loves science and coding. So over several months, she developed a computer program that uses artificial intelligence.

The program collects and analyzes satellite data. The data includes temperature, soil moisture, and wind. The program helps predict wildfires before they start. It also can alert authorities if a place is at high risk. It may even be able to send drones to spray a substance that can slow the spread of fire.

Prisha’s system is still in the works. Hers and others like it may be increasingly needed. That is especially true in the United States. New data shows that wildfires threaten more of the country than people might realize. This risk is expected to grow.

Most of the nation’s wildfires are in the West. But nearly half of all properties in the continental U.S. face some risk (see map, below). The good news is that the danger is still relatively low for many of them.

Most of the nation’s wildfires are in the West. But nearly half of all properties in the continental U.S. face some risk (see map, below). The good news is that the danger is still quite low for many of them.

A research group called the First Street Foundation used weather information, fire reports, and distance to flammable material (such as trees) to make the predictions. The group estimates that the share of U.S. properties at risk of wildfire damage will reach 56 percent in the next 30 years.

That is partly because climate change has resulted in hotter, drier weather that contributes to wildfires. For example, record-breaking heat has led to historic droughts in the West over the past two years. Drought makes vegetation more flammable. 

“Climate change is leading to conditions on the ground we have never encountered,” explains Randy Moore, the U.S. Forest Service chief. “We know these conditions are leading to more frequent and intense wildfires.”

A research group called the First Street Foundation used weather information, fire reports, and distance from material that can burn (such as trees) to make the predictions. The group estimates that the share of U.S. properties at risk of wildfire damage will reach 56 percent in the next 30 years.

That is partly because climate change has resulted in hotter, drier weather. This contributes to wildfires. For example, record-breaking heat has led to historic droughts in the West over the past two years. Drought makes trees and plants easier to burn.

“Climate change is leading to conditions on the ground we have never encountered,” explains Randy Moore. He is the U.S. Forest Service chief. “We know these conditions are leading to more frequent and intense wildfires.”

What can be done? The U.S. government has set aside $234 million to fund wildfire prevention and recovery efforts. President Joe Biden has created a commission to study how best to prevent and manage wildfires. Meanwhile, people can take steps to help protect their homes, such as cutting back overhanging trees.

As for Prisha, she continues to perfect her system. In 2021, she won a $10,000 Lemelson Award for Invention. The annual prize is given to a young inventor with a promising solution to a serious problem.

Prisha hopes her program will become something that officials can use to help prevent wildfires in the future. “I really want to save people’s lives and also protect the environment,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.” 

What can be done? The U.S. government has set aside $234 million to pay for wildfire prevention and recovery efforts. President Joe Biden has created a commission to study how best to prevent and manage wildfires. Meanwhile, people can take steps to help protect their homes. For example, they can try cutting back overhanging trees.

Prisha continues to perfect her system. In 2021, she won a $10,000 Lemelson Award for Invention. That annual prize is given to a young inventor with a promising solution to a serious problem.

Prisha hopes her program will become something that officials can use to help prevent wildfires in the future. “I really want to save people’s lives and also protect the environment,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.”