EnviroSAR Wildfire Prevention

Tech start-up focuses on wildfire prevention through the analysis of satellite radar data.

17:41 06 August 2018

EnviroSAR, a Manchester-based tech start-up, is urging more collaboration to prevent wildfire using satellite radar data. Funded by the University of Manchester’s Innovation Company, UMI3 Ltd, the scheme was launched last year by Dr Gail Millin-Chalabi.

 

Dr Millin-Chalabi said that the moorland wildfires this summer have highlighted the need for further funding to support research and development work in the area.

 

“I’d been using radar data for characterising and monitoring burnt areas after wildfires,” she said. “Not long after coming up with the idea of EnviroSAR we won the European Copernicus Masters Sustainable Living Challenge and are receiving support from UMI3 through the UMIP Innovation Optimiser Programme which empowers innovators from across the University to create start-up businesses.

 

“If we keep getting these very dry conditions there is more risk of wildfires unfortunately as large amounts of moorland and heathland areas in the UK are degraded and not particularly healthy.

 

“This year we are seeing a much longer wildfire season in the UK. Usually we are over them by mid-May. Some are still burning and it’s July.

 

 

“If we keep experiencing these drier and hotter weather conditions year after year, our wildfire season could start transitioning into the summer, more like, dare I say it, Mediterranean areas and expanding into the months of June and July.”