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FireSat satellites launched

SpaceX rocket carried the first three FireSat satellites into orbit in July 2026.

FireSat satellites and AI cameras aim to catch wildfires early

Illustration accompanying article: FireSat satellites and AI cameras aim to catch wildfires early
  • FireSat launched its first three satellites into orbit in July aboard a SpaceX rocket, the start of a planned 50-satellite network built solely to spot wildfires while they are still small.
  • The satellites use infrared sensors and artificial intelligence to detect heat and alert emergency responders, and are designed to scan every point on Earth about every 20 minutes once the full constellation is deployed.
  • Pano AI has installed more than 1,400 AI-equipped cameras across 17 states that scan for smoke during the day and heat at night.
  • Cal Fire's Alert California network of more than 1,200 cameras now detects about half of all wildfires before anyone calls 911, Chief Phillip SeLegue said.
  • Climate Central reports that some parts of the western United States now experience about two more months of fire weather each year than they did in the 1970s.
 2026-08-17 · 4 MIN READ

Containment lines established around Spokane fires as hotter, drier weather looms

Containment lines established around Spokane fires as hotter, drier weather looms
  • Three wildfires near Spokane have destroyed about 850 buildings and forced the evacuation of roughly 67,000 people since erupting last weekend, according to the Associated Press.
  • Firefighters established containment lines around the perimeters of all three fires, officials said Wednesday, after two days of cooler weather helped crews make progress.
  • A man was arrested and charged with arson in connection with one of the three fires, authorities said.
  • Forecasts call for temperatures to climb into the upper 90s with lower humidity and breezier conditions late in the week.
 2026-08-05 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Spokane-area wildfires destroy hundreds of homes, force 60,000 to evacuate