The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation gave a $1.5 million grant to UC Berkeley astrophysicist Carl Pennypacker and Tim Ball, president of Fireball Information Technologies, LLC, funding their efforts to improve infrared fire detectors.
Through their collaboration, they will optimize existing infrared detection satellite systems and build a multispectral camera system aboard spotter planes to help prevent widespread fires. Between fuel buildup from insufficient timber cleanups and drier climates, fires are increasing in size, according to Ball.
He is working with Pennypacker, whose satellite system — Fire Urgency Estimator in Geosynchronous Orbit — will use real-time data to detect fires within their first five minutes of origin through ground-based fire tower camera systems, Ball noted.