Google Expands AI-Driven Fire Tracking Tool to 15 New Countries, including Greece and Cyprus

Google is leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide detailed tracking of fire boundaries through Search and Maps, as well as via location-based push notifications. The company recently announced that this tool will expand to 15 additional countries across Europe and Africa, including Greece. The new countries are Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Kenya, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Monaco, Portugal, Rwanda, Slovenia, and Turkey.

This tool offers real-time alerts and safety information for people near wildfires, helping them stay informed and safe.

Precise and Reliable Tracking

Google’s AI fire monitoring system is built on extensive satellite imagery and multiple data sources. The model is validated by comparing its predictions with fire scars—patterns left on the ground after fires have been contained—based on historical data. Other AI models also verify the presence of fires, enhancing accuracy beyond what satellite imagery alone can provide.

Timely and Useful Information

Launched this summer, the service has already tracked over 40 wildfires in southern Europe, including recent fires in Spain, Greece, and Cyprus, as well as in Portugal and Kenya. Google displays fire boundaries in Search and Maps and provides notifications to keep people informed and safe. In the first week of July, approximately 1.4 million people accessed fire-related information through Google’s platforms.

The service is designed to be accessible to both locals and tourists. Alerts are tailored to the user’s language settings, ensuring that travellers receive crucial fire information in their preferred language.

Navigational Assistance

The fire boundary information also appears in Google Maps during navigation, helping travellers understand if wildfires are affecting their route.

This feature exemplifies how Google is harnessing AI to support communities in adapting to climate change and its associated risks. As the company continues to enhance its services, it aims to expand this tool to more countries, ensuring that people have access to critical information when they need it.