Development of wildfire detection tool could be delayed due to federal funding cuts

MADISON, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – Development of a new tool designed to detect wildfires at the University of Wisconsin-Madison could face delays due to federal funding cuts.

As the state continue to deal with the effects of climate change, wildfires are becoming more prevalent. According to a WPR report, the Next Generation Fire System uses artificial intelligence and real-time satellite images to track the spread of wildfires.

Officials say the funding delays are the result of a review of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contracts by the Trump administration. The federal agency partnered with the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at UW-Madison to develop the tool.

More information on UW-Madison’s wildfire detection tool can be found here.