Progress 07/01/24 to 02/28/25

Outputs
Target Audience:TheQuickfire Project aims to serve multiple target audiences, including wildfire management agencies, emergency responders, policymakers, and insurers. These groups will benefit from improved fire detection, real-time fire perimeter monitoring, and post-fire assessment enabled by stratospheric balloon technology. Primary Target Audiences: Federal and State Wildfire Agencies - Includes the US Forest Service (USFS), Department of the Interior (DOI), and CalFire, who play a key role in wildfire suppression and mitigation. Emergency Responders and Incident Commanders - Real-time aerial intelligence will aid ground crews in decision-making, improve resource allocation, and enhance firefighter safety. Insurance and Risk Assessment Companies - Rapid post-fire damage assessments will help insurers validate claims, detect fraud, and improve response times in high-risk areas. Local Governments and Communities - Particularly in fire-prone and economically disadvantaged regions, improved fire monitoring technology can aid in disaster preparedness and community safety. During the project, specifically in work package 2, several stakeholders of the above fields where contacted and introduced to the project. We are also redistributing learnings and results to this same audience. This project indirectly supports socially and economically disadvantaged communities by enhancing wildfire resilience and reducing economic losses due to fire damage. Futureefforts will ensure that scientific knowledge, innovative technology, and practical applications reach the necessary stakeholders to improve wildfire response, land management, and community safety. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided tehnicaldevelopment opportunities for our engineering team by enhancing expertise in remote sensing, onboard image processing, satellite communications.Team members gained hands-on experience in COTS sensor evaluatio anddata transmission optimization,strengthening their skills. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The report outcomes will be made available to selected stakeholders that have been engaged with on Work Package 2. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Project Accomplishments vs. Goals 1. Identification of relevant stakeholders- Completed Engaged USFS, DOI, CalFire, and NIROPS; mapped roles in wildfire monitoring. 2. Consultation of end-user needs-Completed Interviews conducted with key agencies. Prioritized real-time fire perimeter monitoring over ignition detection. 3. Definition of imaging system specifications-Completed Based on user needs and requirements. 4. Selection of an imaging system-Completed Evaluated COTS solutions Imager selected for best weight (2.8 kg), resolution, and feasibility. Met NSL's flight constraints (mass, power, and temperature resilience). Balanced performance & cost, achieving near-optimal resolution. 5.Definition of a downlink architecture -Completed Compared grid-based scanning vs. fire-front search. Identified onboard processing to reduce bandwidth and improve response time. 6. Selection of downlink hardware -Completed Chosen Satlink for low-bandwidth, cost-effective transmission. 7. Image relay test in lab & flight -Completed & Expanded Lab tests successful; flight tests also conducted. Confirmed stable real-time transmission with C/N0 signal validation. All targets were succesfully met and results for section 7 expanded with a test flight of the satellite relay.

Publications

Progress 07/01/24 to 02/28/25

Outputs
Target Audience:We have engaged with key agencies critical to wildfire management, forestry services, and aviation operations, to derive requirements for the project and to understand future procurement mechanisms. These agencies include: CalFire:As California's leading authority on fire prevention and resource management, CalFire has provided insights into their operational needs for wildfire monitoring. Forest Service: In discussions with the U.S. Forest Service, specifically the responsibles for infrared fire mapping, we have identified the technical requirements and interoperability that would make our technology suitable in real life operations. Department of the Interior, Aviation Services: By engaging with the Department of the Interior's Aviation Service, we've gatheredtheir expertise in aerial firefighting, and recomendations on contracting methods. These findings are reported in the 3rd work package of the project. This project will directly address the challenges and opportunities these agencies have outlined, providing innovative solutions to enhance wildfire monitoring. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We keep our conversations with the project stakeholders open and plan to disseminate back the findings and proposed solutions later in the project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The next phase of the project focuses on advancing the imaging system and data downlink capabilities with the following work packages: Definition of a Downlink Architecture Based on Specifications (Work Package 5) We will design a robust data downlink architecture that aligns with the selected imaging system's specifications. This includes selecting components capable of supporting high data rates (>1 Mbit/s) over distances exceeding 50 km. Selection of a Suitable Downlink Architecture Hardware (Work Package 6) Following the design phase, we will identify and procure suitable Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware. Components will be evaluated for compatibility with NSL's stratospheric balloon platform, ensuring low mass, power efficiency, and operational ruggedness. Image Relay Test in a Lab Environment (Work Package 7) We will integrate the imaging system and downlink hardware in a controlled lab environment. These tests will validate the system's ability to transmit real-time, high-resolution imagery while meeting performance specifications under simulated conditions. These steps will ensure the imaging and data downlink systems are fully prepared for potentialPhase II flight demonstrations, moving us closer to providing firefighters with an operational, real-time wildfire monitoring solution.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We are pleased to report that we have successfully accomplished the first four goals of the project: Identification of Relevant Stakeholders in Wildfire Monitoring We identified key stakeholders across wildfire management and suppression efforts, including CalFire, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior, Aviation Services. This ensures that our project aligns with the priorities and challenges faced by these organizations. Consultation of End-User Needs with Identified Stakeholders Through productive engagements with these stakeholders, we gathered valuable insights into their operational needs and technical requirements. Discussions focused on critical aspects such as real-time data accessibility, resolution, and system usability during wildfire incidents, and also procurement and path-to-market for these innovations. Definition of Imaging System Specifications from Stakeholders Based on consultations, we developed detailed imaging system specifications. These include sub-meter resolution imaging to track fire fronts accurately, the ability to penetrate smoke and haze. One key insight was the focus on monitoring vs early detection for which the engaged stakeholders claim to have other solutions available. Selection of an Imaging System Based on Specifications After thorough analysis, we identified severalCommercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) imaging options that couldmeetthe specifications derived from stakeholder needs. We've downselected the most promising. These achievements lay a solid foundation for the next phase of the project, focusing on the integration and testing of the selected imaging system with data downlink capabilities in lab environments.

Publications