Firebird: Autonomous UAV Detection and Monitoring of Wildfires
CWSF · 2026 Aerospace Bronze Medal
Overview
Wildfires are becoming an increasing concern as climate change decreases rainfall, increases lightning storms, and causes earlier snow melt. Most wildfires are in northern Canada, and often remain undetected for days or even weeks. The current methods of detection for remote areas, primarily satellites, are unreliable and only detect larger fires, only reliably being able to detect fires > 50 hectares, at which point there is no hope of suppression, only containment. This project develops and tests a long range UAV capable of autonomously detecting and monitoring wildfires. A custom algorithm detects wildfires using thermal signatures and has been tested in the field at 96% accuracy with zero false positives. A custom long range UAV platform was developed with over 150 km range capable of scanning over 500 km² a day for wildfires. A new airframe and improved detection methods are being developed that will more than double detection coverage.
Awards (3)
- Special Award
- Bronze Medal
- Selected for CWSF 2026
Competition history
- CWSF 2026
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