Wildfires are Inevitable🌲

But wildfire disasters don’t have to be. For generations, fire was known as a natural part of the ecosystem and helpful for species regulations– this changed when we tried to control it. As we enter a period of accelerated climate change, every year we see new record-breaking wildfires devastating many U.S. states. We are facing the consequences of our own actions. Watch Episode 1 of Where the Internet Lives with Research Forester Mark Finney at Missoula Fire Sciences Lab to see how we can move toward a future where fire is part of a resilient ecosystem instead of a destructive force.

October 16, 2024

— Written by Camryn Kirk

👀 FYI:

If you didn’t read last week’s newsletter, Where the Internet Lives is an award-winning podcast and mini-documentary series centered around Google’s data infrastructure and the AI they power. Each week, we’ll be dropping a new video and podcast episode, taking you on an eye-opening journey into how Google’s data infrastructure is shaping community resilience when facing wildfires, power grid overloads, plastic garbage, air pollution, and food waste 👏👀

Episode 1: Data on Fire 📈🔥

Episode 1 of Where the Internet Lives is finally out and boy, do we have a fiery episode. 

For centuries Native Americans used fire as a tool. It was well understood that it was part of a natural cycle that helped regulate species populations and ecosystem processes, so what's changed?? In the last century, humans believed it was necessary to control and tame fires. This approach has led to the "wildland fire paradox"—the more we suppress fires in the short term, the more severe wildfires become over time due to the accumulation of unburned fuel. This short-sighted approach to wildfire control, in addition to accelerated climate change and different land management activities, has brought us to now: we’re seeing record-breaking fires for the largest ever seen in the Western United States. We need to chart a new path quickly.

In Episode 1 we meet Research Forester Mark Finney from the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab. Their research is focused on fire behavior, fire effects, fire ecology, and smoke production, helping them think holistically about the issues at large. 

Having the ability to accurately predict how, when, and where fires spread will enable more effective fire risk management and greatly reduce the damages caused by fire to our communities and wildlands. The U.S. Forest Service is currently partnering with Google Research to do exactly that. They are combining decades of fire science research with Google’s AI and machine learning capabilities to develop the next generation of operational fire spread models. Leveraging Google’s massive computing power and data infrastructure, these new models provide the ability for firefighters and risk managers to simulate thousands of wildfire scenarios in just seconds. A capability that was unimaginable just a few years ago. The integration of AI and ML into these new prediction models promises to revolutionize how firefighting and land management organizations tackle wildfires worldwide.

We’re excited about what data can bring to the table when creating innovative models and challenging old beliefs. We know it can’t erase all of climate change, but it’s a step in the right direction! Watch Episode 1 to learn more about what Missoula Fire Sciences Lab is doing and be on the lookout for Episode 2 which comes out next week! 📺

Here’s a sneak peek into the episode topics:

  • 🌩️Ep 1: Climate + Weather 

  • 🪫Ep 2: Energy 

  • 🌱Ep 3: Food + Agriculture

  • 🧑‍⚕️Ep 4: Health + Equity

  • 🌀Ep 5: Circularity

What episode are you looking forward to watching most? Share with your friends + let us know! 💬

👀 Some Good News Stories You Might Have Missed This Week 🗞️📺:

Want to learn more about how data and AI centers are helping improve our Earth’s resilience? Drop a reply and let us know! 💬

In Case You Missed It 👀

Overcoming Dilemmas In the Green Transition

TED Countdown is hosting a day two event (October 29-30th) at the EGG in Brussels, Belgium with over 20 expert speakers gathering to discuss the roadblocks and path forward for the transition to a sustainable economy. To learn more about how to attend the discussions, click here.