The Pentagon said that it plans to extend a pilot program that provides imagery from satellites, drones, ground sensors and cameras to help track and combat wildfires.
The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) started the program in 2019, developing a tool that maps the location and shape of fires. Under this project, NGA provides firefighting agencies updated maps in 15 minute intervals on areas where fires are rapidly spreading.
The project, dubbed ‘Firefly’, was first used by the State of California and the California National Guard in 2019. The US Forest Service in 2020 asked the Department of Defense (DoD) to make this service available nationwide. “Recognizing the continuing value of the pilot program, DoD recently approved an extension of Firefly support, through September 2022,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.
“This extension will provide time for the National Interagency Fire Center in consultation with the Department of Defense to develop a viable long-term solution for future funding and operation of Firefly,” Kirby added.
The US Air Force provides infrared sensor data from missile-warning satellites to help domestic agencies spot and track fires. Satellite data is combined with other data to make fire mapping more accurate and anticipate wildfire locations.
