• Forest fire

  As critical drought conditions increasingly dominate the media narratives around forest fires in Europe, early detection and rapid intervention have become vital. The European Drought Observatory provides essential data for understanding drought impacts, while advanced monitoring systems track incidents from fire ignition to spread. A combination of stationary forest observation systems, satellite imaging, and mobile robotic technologies offers high-resolution data acquisition from fire-prone areas. By integrating predictive analytics and early-warning AI systems, this use case aims to enable real-time situational awareness and quick response capabilities, ensuring effective fire suppression and minimizing environmental and societal damage.

• Flooding events are a growing concern across Europe, with an emphasis on urban (pluvial) and riverine (fluvial) flooding. Pluvial floods occur when urban drainage systems are overwhelmed by heavy rainfall, while fluvial floods affect areas along rivers. Leveraging satellite imagery, meteorological forecasts, and real-time sensor data (e.g., river gauges, drones), this use case addresses the challenges of predicting and mitigating flood risks. Key uncertainties, such as debris accumulation and drainage system failures, are managed using AI-based predictive models and decision-support tools. These technologies enhance planning and emergency response efforts, ensuring more accurate forecasting and timely interventions during flood events.

Photos courtesy of DRZ.