Wildfires have become a global concern, with increasing frequency and intensity observed in recent years. In West Yorkshire, the local fire service is stepping up its efforts to combat this phenomenon through innovative research initiatives. Our partner Dr. Kamran Mahroof and his team from the University of Bradford are at the forefront, creating innovative wildfire detection technologies. Their aim is to detect these fires as early as possible.
The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is facing a troubling increase in fire callouts. This trend is particularly evident in areas like Marsden Moor and Ilkley Moor. To address this urgent problem, the service has launched new mapping resources. They’ve spearheaded the development of new weather forecasting applications that assist in predicting wildfire behavior. These technologies are paramount in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of firefighting measures.
The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have been at the forefront of technological innovations. They’ve been key in developing new, lightweight personal protective equipment for firefighters. These technologies get firefighters what they need to effectively execute long operations. It empowers them to get to the scene quicker and safer when they’re out in the field.
Dr. Konstantinos Katsaros and Dr. Lazaros Karagiannidis from the Greek-based Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) will head the multidisciplinary collaboration. They plan to actually run a pilot study next year. The work is being undertaken as part of the EU-funded 6G-VERSUS research project, which aims to introduce robotic technology into firefighting operations. Beyond robotic dogs, the overarching project aims to pioneer the integration of drones and K9s to improve situational awareness for first responders amid rapidly developing wildfire disasters.
Dr Mahroof described the ambitious wildfire trial at a recent British Ecological Society conference in Birmingham. He further highlighted that with timely detection and immediate suppression, most of the consequences caused by wildfires can be avoided. This partnership among public and private institutions demonstrates a commitment to using innovative technology to tackle our world’s most urgent environmental issues.
The collaborative research endeavour has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme. We thank the Department for indicating strong support for advancing next-generation wildfire detection capabilities. That’s a wrap for the University of Bradford team — off to Greece! Currently, they are involved in the 6G-VERSUS project, which is broadening their research network.
Wildfires are a growing global extreme climate-related threat we can no longer afford to overlook. In West Yorkshire, proactive measures are showing a positive trend of looking for creative solutions to prevent these catastrophic occurrences. The integration of advanced technologies with traditional firefighting techniques may play a pivotal role in enhancing the resilience of communities facing wildfire risks.