Fire Foresight Advances to XPRIZE Wildfire Semifinals: Building Smarter, Safer Fire Response with Autonomous Systems

Sophie Ross
Jul 16
2 min read

We’re proud to announce that team Fire Foresight has been selected as one of 15 global semifinalist teams in the prestigious XPRIZE Wildfire Autonomous Wildfire Response Track.

This global competition challenges innovators to develop fully autonomous systems that detect and suppress destructive wildfires, can operate in remote, high-risk environments without direct human control, and adapt to real-world conditions in real time.

XPRIZE Wildfire: Rising to a Global Challenge

Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and harder to control. Traditional firefighting methods, though vital, are often reactive - limited by visibility, terrain, and response time. That’s why this challenge matters. The XPRIZE Wildfire competition is helping accelerate the development of technologies that can shift wildfire response from reactive to proactive.

The semifinal round will involve field testing under demanding conditions. Teams must demonstrate real-time fire detection, autonomous navigation, suppression capabilities, and strict adherence to safety standards - all in unpredictable terrain.

What Makes Fire Foresight Different?

Fire Foresight stands out by combining:

Real-time AI-driven smoke detection
Environmental sensors and in-situ monitoring
Satellite data and advanced geospatial analysis
Autonomous drones for fire verification and suppression
An integrated platform that delivers live situational awareness to emergency teams

This layered approach doesn’t just alert authorities to a fire. It helps them understand the full picture - including fuel conditions, weather data, terrain, and fire spread potential - so they can act fast, with precision.

What Comes Next?

In the coming months, Fire Foresight will undergo rigorous semifinal testing alongside 14 other exceptional teams from around the world. Each system will be evaluated on its ability to detect a wildfire ignition, autonomously verify it, and then carry out a suppression task - all while maintaining operational safety and adaptability. If you're curious how this process will work, check out our field test video below.

Our role in this competition is driven by more than technology - it’s about helping emergency responders protect lives, landscapes, and infrastructure when seconds matter.