Smartphone Apps Will Help Firefighters Stop Wildfires
- 11 years ago
Wildfire prevention can be aided by information like real time updates on the wind patterns or movement of the fire being available to the people working to put them out. Now the US Forest Service is working on smartphone and tablet applications to help firefighters with stopping forest fires.
Forest fires are projected to increase in size by at least 50 percent by the year 2050.
Wildfire prevention can be aided by information like real time updates on the wind patterns or movement of the fire being available to the people working to put them out.
Now the US Forest Service is working on smartphone and tablet applications to help firefighters with stopping forest fires.
The apps are designed to track the size and movement of the wildfire using infrared satellites and maps and send that information directly to fire fighters on the ground or in aircrafts.
One obstacle for the service is a lack of internet access in remote areas where wildfires happen.
Last year the Forest Service tested the technology on iPads and smartphones, and this summer they are using Android tablets.
Laura L. Hill, an information technology strategic planner for the Forest Service, said “They exceeded expectations. People found utility for them in their jobs.”
They are working on figuring out ways for the app to keep the users connected even if there is no internet access.
Forest fires are projected to increase in size by at least 50 percent by the year 2050.
Wildfire prevention can be aided by information like real time updates on the wind patterns or movement of the fire being available to the people working to put them out.
Now the US Forest Service is working on smartphone and tablet applications to help firefighters with stopping forest fires.
The apps are designed to track the size and movement of the wildfire using infrared satellites and maps and send that information directly to fire fighters on the ground or in aircrafts.
One obstacle for the service is a lack of internet access in remote areas where wildfires happen.
Last year the Forest Service tested the technology on iPads and smartphones, and this summer they are using Android tablets.
Laura L. Hill, an information technology strategic planner for the Forest Service, said “They exceeded expectations. People found utility for them in their jobs.”
They are working on figuring out ways for the app to keep the users connected even if there is no internet access.