Innovative Radar Systems to Predict Wildfires
Wildfires can start suddenly and spread quickly, causing serious damage. One major challenge is how to assess the risk and predict their movement. Traditional methods often can’t see through thick tree canopies, making it hard to find the dried-out vegetation below that fuels these fires.
To tackle this issue, NASA has taken a bold step. In December 2024, they funded seven forward-thinking projects through their FireSense Technology Program (FIRET-23). This program aims to improve how we observe and respond to wildfires. Among the selected projects is one led by computer science professor Elahe Soltanaghai, which received $2 million to create a UAS-mounted radar system specifically designed to sense fuels beneath the forest canopy.
A Collaborative Approach to Wildfire Prediction
Understanding wildfires isn’t just the job of engineers. It calls for a mix of skills and knowledge from various fields. That’s why this project unites experts from leading universities, research labs, and government. They bring backgrounds in wireless sensing, remote sensing, machine learning, robotics, and environmental science.
Professor Soltanaghai emphasizes this teamwork:
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“The challenge is too big for any single discipline to solve. By bringing together experts from different fields, we can build a system that bridges the gap between advanced technology and real-world wildfire management.” —Elahe Soltanaghai
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How the Radar-Tag System Works
Professor Soltanaghai explains their key challenge: crafting a radar that can see through dense forests. “If we can measure the biomass on the ground—how much there is and how dry it is—this data will enhance our ability to model fire risks and predict their behavior,” she adds. Knowing this information in advance helps in managing active fires and mitigating risks.
The team is working on a unique backscatter tag system that Soltanaghai likens to a QR code for the forest. These battery-free tags are released from drones into areas prone to fires, where they reflect radar signals.
“They reflect radar signals in a distinct way, allowing us to focus on their echoes and not get lost in the noise of the forest,” she explains. “This gives us a clearer picture of the conditions on the forest floor.”
A New Era in Wildfire Management
Photo Credit: Storyblocks
While this project is centered on advanced technology like radar systems, its real-world implications could be significant. By combining drone technology, radar sensing, and satellite images, it could transform how we monitor and respond to wildfires, providing vital real-time information for firefighters and land managers.
“Our goal is to connect high-tech solutions with practical applications,” says Soltanaghai.
“By combining engineering, environmental science, and fire management, we aim to create a system that not only advances scientific insights but also saves lives and protects our ecosystems.”
—Elahe Soltanaghai
Affiliations of Grainger Engineering Experts
Elahe Soltanaghai is a professor of computer science at Illinois Grainger Engineering, associated with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Coordinated Science Lab and the Wireless, Sensing, & Embedded Networked Systems (iSENS) Lab.
Mohamad Alipour is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Illinois Grainger Engineering.
Girish Chowdhury is a professor in agricultural and biological engineering and computer science, also affiliated with the Coordinated Science Lab.
