A New Lens on Wildfires: The Role of Space Aye in Wildfire Management

In the event of a natural disaster, access to accurate and actionable data is essential. Yet, the often complex and time-consuming process can delay the disaster response, which places lives and assets at risk by impeding the provision of humanitarian relief and an assessment of infrastructural and environmental damage to an area.  

According to the British Geological Survey, ‘satellite imagery is the only timely source of data for emergency response’, which is often utilised within a range of disaster management strategies, from earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and flood mitigation. 

In 2024, it was estimated that a minimum of 13.5 million hectares of forest burned as a result wildfires, an area comparable to the size of Greece. The increasing intensity, duration, and size of wildfires has only enhanced the necessity of implementing disaster management procedures. A process that is more effectively managed from above ground than on the ground. 

Satellite technology provides detailed imagery and assesses the extent of a wildfire from a safe distance, analyses vegetation density, and supports the planning and mapping of evacuation routes and disaster response strategies. 

Paired with Infrared (heat) sensors, satellite imagery accurately identifies land areas that are no longer burning, locations currently impacted by a wildfire, and areas that a developing wildfire may spread towards. This capability is crucial in remote areas that may present significant terrain constraints, particularly during time-sensitive situations and within environments containing critical infrastructure assets and high population densities. 

But imagine if you could also identify specific individuals and assets within satellite imagery in 'real-time' and in context by merging Internet of Things (IoT) data? IoT data includes smartphone, wearables, and sensor data. Space Aye makes that possibility a reality. Space Aye are the only way to identify people and assets in real-time satellite imagery from space. Space Aye’s unique capability aids the quicker deployment of rescue services, confidently locates those at risk and those best placed to address the nearest threat, potentially containing fires earlier, saving lives and reducing the environmental impact of ‘global boiling’ accelerated by wildfires. 

The Current Global Situation: Climate Change and the Increase in Wildfires 

Source: Our World in Data, 2026 

Although wildfires are often a natural ecological phenomenon that clears underbrush and facilitates seed germination. They are now burning for longer, over larger surface areas, and with greater intensity. Alterations in land-use, climate change caused by human activity, and the minimal implementation of forest management strategies are increasingly contributing to these conditions. 

Wildfires are becoming more prevalent in Northern and high-latitude locations which face the aridification of peatland and melting of permafrost. This is significant as boreal forests are typically considered to store more carbon than they emit; however, these areas are transitioning into a source of carbon emissions and contributing to ecosystem damage. The ability to control rising global temperatures is further complicated by the positive feedback loop of carbon emissions caused by wildfires. The possibility of further natural disasters - such as erosion and landslides – is enhanced by the loss of vegetation during a wildfire. 

With an estimated 5-8 billion tonnes of CO2 released into the atmosphere by wildfires each year, a 60% increase in carbon emissions from forest fires between 2001-2023. Areas of North America, Mexico, Brazil and East Africa now experience wildfire seasons for an entire month longer than those recorded 35 years ago.  

In economic terms, the Palisades and Eaton Fires accounted for a third of all insured losses in 2025 – marking the costliest wildfires on record globally at $41 billion, according to insurance broker Aon. A space derived solution would help co-ordinate ground efforts from a command and control perspective, which can only be a positive development for the insurance sector and consumers. 

In human terms, wildfires and their subsequent smoke exposure often contribute towards increased health problems and fatalities.  Evacuations and permanent displacement for families and communities are another unfortunate outcome. Moreover, the ability of states and nations to meet and maintain the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be complicated by the far-ranging and overlapping consequences of these increasingly frequent natural disasters. 

With the summer season fast approaching, and the previous three years ranking as the warmest on record, another global temperature high is expected. This raises further concerns about the escalating wildfire risk globally and the importance of attempting to manage those threats before they become uncontrollable where possible. 

From Fire Suppression to Fire Management with Space Aye 

In 2023, the US Joint Economic Committee estimated that the total cost of wildfires in the US was between $394-$893 billion each year. The 2026 Budget Justifications Report from the US Department of the Interior also demonstrates a significant increase in the financing requested for wildfire management operations. In 2024, the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund was allocated $350,000. In contrast, the 2026 Budget Submission requested $2,850,000 to be allocated towards this fund, highlighting the growing cost and importance of forward-planning. 

The PPRR Model (Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery) is a widely used framework in disaster and emergency management situations. It is imperative that planning and preparedness are considered in tandem with response and recovery in the current climate. This is where Space Aye plays a vital role by unlocking the ability to locate, plan, deploy and monitor resources, through accurately identifying people and assets during these critical disaster situations. 

Planning and Preparedness – Enhanced by Space Aye’s Capability

Presently, wildfire response plans and susceptibility maps support land-use planning in forests and inform the response strategy to a wildfire. However, these documents can quickly become inaccurate due to land use developments and alterations, over time. Space Aye reduces this risk, as we identify the responders and assets in their current environment, situational context is critical at these times.  

Heat sensors can detect abnormal heat patterns, which may hint at a developing wildfire, allowing for a more rapid deployment of response operations. Pre-programmed sensors could automatically trigger new tasked satellite imagery via Space Aye's Large Terrestrial Exchange (LTx) platform. This could then be integrated with AI model to better predict emerging threats. 

 

Response – More Effective and Accurate with Space Aye

AI using machine vision can only count and classify objects such as people, buildings, vehicles, and vegetation. Only Space Aye can confidently identify individuals, emergency rescue, and firefighting assets in tasked imagery. This could significantly improve disaster recovery and response, potentially saving lives.  

For example, Space Aye’s capability can support the identification, monitoring, and management of first responders using biometrics and location data. This is vital for improving firefighter safety, minimising potential entrapments, and the associated health issues manifested by fires.  

Recovery – Better Informed Decision Making with Space Aye

Comparing archived satellite imagery with real-time tasked imagery via Space Aye’s platform and incorporating this with smart data facilitates the direct identification of people, assets, and damage in the new disaster landscape. 

Space Aye improves insurance capabilities during the recovery process. AI models can identify damage in an area impacted by wildfires; Space Aye can accurately identify assets by overlaying IoT data. This directly improves the precision and confidence of damage estimates and accelerates the reconstruction and clear-up process for businesses and communities.  

Looking Forward: A Future of Reduced Damage & Risk

With the acceleration of climate change through human-activity, natural disasters are becoming increasingly common. Wildfire management teams can now benefit by adopting this new capability, which fuses space derived data with the tens-of-billions of terrestrial sensors. Creating a unique intelligence-for-good strategy which can benefit us all.  

Space Aye enables capability, together we can make a difference, however the time for action is now. 

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