The first three operational satellites in the Google-backed FireSat program have launched, aiming to detect small wildfires using multispectral imaging.
Key facts
- •The FireSat constellation is managed by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance.
- •Each satellite can detect fires as small as 16 by 16 feet.
- •A prototype satellite launched in March 2025 collected over one million images during testing.
- •Google reported a 37 percent increase in company-wide electricity usage in 2025.
- •The Canadian government leased 10 new aerial firefighting aircraft this year to assist provinces.
The first three operational satellites of the FireSat program launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on July 7, 2026. Managed by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance, the constellation is designed to detect wildfires as small as five by five meters. The satellites will begin providing data to fire agencies in the United States, Australia, and Europe following a three-month testing period.
By the numbers
Satellite technology and capabilities
Designed by California-based Muon Space, the satellites use multispectral imaging to peer through smoke and clouds. The program aims to cover every fire-prone region on Earth at least twice daily. Google has provided over $15 million for the project, while the Bezos Earth Fund has committed $26 million. Google Research also plans to use AI models to compare real-time FireSat data with historical imagery to improve detection and predictive modeling.
Scaling the FireSat program
Early adopters of the data include fire agencies in California, Colorado, Australia, and Portugal. The program intends to provide hourly imagery globally by 2029, with plans to reach 20-minute intervals once a full constellation of more than 50 satellites is deployed by the early 2030s. Projections suggest this frequency could help save over $1 billion in fire damage costs and protect 3,500 homes.
Context of current wildfire conditions
The launch coincides with widespread wildfires in Canada, where nearly 900 active fires were reported as of July 17, 2026. More than 6.6 million acres have burned in Canada so far this year. Experts note that climate change is driving larger and more intense fires, often overwhelming traditional suppression strategies and forcing agencies to monitor rather than suppress some blazes due to limited resources.
Timeline
- March 2025A FireSat Protoflight satellite launched to test detection capabilities.
- July 7, 2026The first three operational FireSat satellites launched from California.
- July 17, 2026Nearly 900 active wildfires were reported in Canada.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Ars Technica.
