The Canadian Space Agency announced a $72 million investment in the WildFireSat program, a groundbreaking satellite constellation designed to monitor active forest fires across Canada. Scheduled to launch in 2029, the seven satellites will provide daily data on fire activity, helping officials assess dangerous blazes, predict fire behavior, and allocate firefighting resources effectively.
Infrared sensors aboard the satellites will generate thermal imaging to evaluate fire intensity and track progression. Lisa Campbell, president of the Canadian Space Agency, highlighted the program’s potential to save lives and optimize resources, as a small number of fires cause 90% of wildfire damage.
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault emphasized the growing economic impact of climate change, noting that wildfire costs in Canada have risen exponentially from $200 million annually fifteen years ago to $8 billion in 2024, with projections reaching $25 billion in the coming years.
Developed by Ontario-based Spire Global Canada, the WildFireSat mission will be the first national initiative to monitor wildfires from space, attracting international attention. In addition to aiding wildfire response, the data will support air quality health modeling, environmental emergency response, smoke forecasting, and navigation visibility.
The satellites are expected to be operational within three months of launch and could save the federal government between $1 billion and $5 billion during their first five years. With forest fire damage predicted to double in the coming decades due to longer fire seasons and extreme weather, the program represents a vital step in adapting to climate challenges.
Source: Swifteradio.com
