Is artificial intelligence the next tool to fight wildfires?

Artificial intelligence may be the ally firefighters need to tame uncontrollable and unpredictable wildfires. — 123rf.com

With wildfires becoming bigger and more destructive as the western part of the United States dries out and heats up, agencies and officials tasked with preventing and battling the blazes could soon have a new tool to add to their arsenal of prescribed burns, pick axes, chainsaws and aircraft.

The high-tech help could come from an area not normally associated with fighting wildfires: artificial intelligence (AI). And space.