New Technologies to Combat Wildfires in Spain and France
Devastating wildfires in Spain and France have burned over 741,000 acres, prompting the use of new technologies for prediction, detection, and suppression.
Spain has declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region and the province of Ávila due to severe wildfires. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as dramatic, stressing that all available resources have been deployed. According to the European Forest Fire Information System, fires in both countries have scorched more than 741,000 acres. In Spain, the burned area is double the annual average, while France’s fire season this year has been six times more destructive than normal.
Extreme heat and abnormally dry weather, largely driven by climate change, have fueled the blazes. To address megafires, several innovative technologies are being tested or developed.
Ecofire is a biodegradable liquid made from organic substances. It is up to 40 times more effective than water and acts six to ten times faster. It can also be applied preventively to create an insulating layer that blocks heat and oxygen.
Predifire is an early-warning system combining artificial intelligence, sensors, and autonomous drones to detect fires when they are just a few acres in size, reducing response time. Another project, SenForFire, involves low-cost wireless smart sensors that monitor combustion gases and environmental variables in real time.
The Wildfire Assessment Model, developed by Spanish researchers, uses AI neural networks to analyze satellite imagery and atmospheric data, estimating fire spread, control time, and resource needs.
For the public, Spain’s Civil Protection app provides emergency alerts and maps. Google Maps has a wildfire layer showing perimeters, and the Incendios España platform offers real-time satellite data on active fires.
