AI-powered wildfire alerts by Google now cover 15 additional countries in Europe and Africa
A fire in the Paphos region of Cyprus was caused by light refracted through broken glass, Google states. (Image source: Google blog)
Google has expanded its AI-powered wildfire tracking tool to 15 new countries in Europe and Africa, providing real-time boundary tracking and location-based notifications. Recent wildfires across Europe, including in Greece, Spain, and Cyprus, highlight the urgent need for effective wildfire management. Google's tool, which leverages satellite imagery and historical data, has already mapped over 40 wildfires, reaching 1.4 million people in the first week of July.
Google has rolled out an upgrade for its AI-powered wildfire tracking tool, now extending its reach to 15 new countries in Europe and Africa. Providing real-time wildfire boundary tracking in Search and Maps, the tracking tool offers location-based notifications to help people stay safe. The AI model utilizes satellite imagery and historical fire scar data to deliver accurate and reliable wildfire information, Google claims.
Lately, wildfires have been wrecking havoc across Europe. Firefighters have been working night and day to contain blazes on the Greek islands of Kos, Chios, and Crete. In Spain’s Extremadura region, authorities activated 60 personnel to tackle one of 18 fires. Meanwhile, a wildfire in Cyprus’ Paphos region was caused by sunlight refracting through broken glass. These incidents are precisely the reason why tools like these are key, especially as fire-prone areas in Europe have doubled over the past 50 years, Google's estimates say.
Google's expanded tool has already mapped over 40 wildfires in Southern Europe, with 1.4 million people accessing the information in the first week of July alone. The tool is designed to assist both locals and travelers, providing timely updates in their preferred languages.
Google is showing wildfire boundaries in Search and Maps. (Image source: Google Blog)
Anubhav Sharma - Tech Writer - 1325 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
Most of my time goes into writing - and somehow it hasn’t stopped being fun yet.
My work mainly revolves around everyday tech, gaming, watches, DIY modding, and the occasional piece on tech-policy chaos when companies and governments clash. I try to keep things simple and honest, without sounding like a product brochure.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering and an Associate Degree in English Studies from the College of New Caledonia in British Columbia, Canada.
Away from articles and deadlines, life usually shifts to making music, taking photos, or trying to finish games that should have been completed months ago.
Add as a preferred