How can balloons fight wildfires?

As the threat to Europe from wildfires grows, researchers are trialling novel technologies that support prevention, control and recovery efforts.

Food and Natural Resources

Duration 00:01:00

Europe faces an increasing risk from wildfires, as climate change, shifts in land use and a declining rural depopulation make fires more widespread and intense. The EU-funded TREEADS project brought together researchers and institutions across Europe to work on a suite of responses. It has now been featured in the CORDIS series of explanatory videos titled ‘Make the connection with EU science’.

“The foundation laid by TREEADS provides a strong platform for future innovation and collaboration. Our hope is that the project leaves behind more than just technology, but a shift in how we think about wildfires,” says project leader Kemal Arsava, from Norway’s RISE Fire Research.

The project involved 48 partners across 15 countries, and contributed to advances in surveillance drones, augmented reality helmets, novel fireproof materials, rapid reforestation techniques, and much more.

‘Make the connection with EU science’ is a series of explanatory videos focusing on the scientific content and exploitation aspects of EU research projects.

Keywords

• TREEADS
• wildfire
• climate change
• weather
• firefighting
• reforestation

Countries

Norway