Canada’s wildfire seasons are getting longer, hotter, and more dangerous—and 2023 was a record-breaking year for fire activity. But amidst the smoke and devastation, a new ally has emerged: artificial intelligence. Across the country, AI is being used to detect, predict, and even fight wildfires faster and more accurately than ever before.
In this post, we explore how Canadian researchers, startups, and governments are using AI to protect our communities and forests.
When we think of fighting fires, we often picture water bombers, firefighters on the front lines, or lookout towers in remote regions. But today’s reality is different. AI tools are now being deployed before flames even appear—analyzing weather data, scanning satellite images, and even guiding drone swarms.
In Alberta, Edmonton-based startup AltaML teamed up with Alberta Wildfire to develop a machine learning model that predicts where fires are likely to start the next day. The tool analyzes factors like wind, humidity, and fuel load to assign risk levels—helping emergency responders plan ahead.
“The goal is to move from reacting to preventing.” — AltaML team
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Vancouver’s SenseNet, with support from Rogers, is deploying AI-powered cameras and sensors across B.C. and Alberta. These devices can detect smoke, fire, and heat signatures within minutes—much faster than human reports. The AI can also predict how a fire might spread, giving fire crews a huge advantage.
“Some communities can now detect fires in under five minutes.”
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In British Columbia, FireSwarm Solutions is building AI-guided drones that can fly into dangerous zones, even at night or through smoke. These drones coordinate like a swarm, dropping water or fire retardant exactly where it's needed.
Fun fact: FireSwarm made it into the XPRIZE Wildfire competition in 2024.
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A new deep-learning project called CanadaFireSat is using satellite data to predict where fires might ignite. The research team has trained models using data from Sentinel-2, MODIS, and others to provide 100-meter resolution forecasts of fire risk.
At Concordia University, researchers are creating AI tools that detect and locate wildfires using drones and satellite imagery. Over at UBC Okanagan, teams are integrating AI with mobile robots to support firefighting and agricultural resilience.
With climate change intensifying fire seasons across Canada, traditional methods aren’t enough. Fires are spreading faster, appearing in new regions, and causing more destruction. That’s where AI steps in:
Faster detection = less spread
Predictive models = better resource allocation
Automation = safer operations in extreme conditions
AI is not just about robots or futuristic tech—it’s already saving lives and forests here in Canada. Whether it's drones flying through smoke or machine learning predicting tomorrow's risks, these innovations offer hope in the face of rising fire threats.
As we move forward, we need to support the adoption of these tools, ensure data is shared responsibly, and continue investing in tech that protects both people and the planet.
This post was brought to you by AI By AI Canada Center, a nonprofit advocating for responsible AI use across Canada.