Greek Suburban Residents Take Initiative with Early Warning Drones to Combat Wildfires

Residents in some Greek suburbs are using their own money to fund a volunteer-based initiative that utilizes long-range drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras as an early warning system to detect wildfires before they spread. The drones, operated by trained pilots with permission from civil aviation authorities, provide live images and detect changes in temperature, alerting firefighters in the critical early stages of a fire. The program, which began operating last year in southern Athens, has already proven successful in preventing and extinguishing fires. The system can also be used to coordinate responses to other emergencies such as floods or earthquakes.