Photo: Canadian Forest Service

Spire Global and OroraTech are working together on a Canadian Space Agency contract to monitor wildfires from space via satellite. 

The contract is for preparatory work for a wildfire-monitoring satellite, the initial step towards CSA’s planned WildFireSat mission. Canada has set a goal with WildFireSat to monitor all active wildfires in Canada from space on a daily basis. 

Spire subsidiary ExactEarth is working with OroraTech, which offers a global wildfire intelligence service. OroraTech used Spire Space Services to launch its first payloads, a thermal infrared camera and data processing unit, on a Spire 6U satellite. The design and implementation of WildFireSat is expected to begin in spring 2024, with the project expected to be delivered in 2029.

According to CSA, the future WildFireSat system will consist of satellites equipped with infrared sensors to measure the energy emitted by wildfires, which will provide insight into the characteristics of wildfires such as fire intensity and rate of spread. It will also give more accurate data on carbon emission from wildfires.

“At Spire, we have a strong track record of demonstrating the benefits that space can bring to life on Earth, and I can’t think of a more important and critical application than protecting our environment, people and property from destructive wildfires. We look forward to supporting the Canadian Space Agency on this important issue,” said Frank Frulio, general  manager of Spire Space Services.