USDA Finances Intellisense’s Forest Fire-Fighting Satellite Sensing Tech Development

Environmental sensing solutions Intellisense Systems received Phase II financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue its development of a stand-alone field-deployable sensor for remote satellite measurements of fire weather-related data.

Intellisense Fire Weather Observation Sensor (FWOS) devices will be placed throughout forests and areas prone to wildfire outbreak and transmit data via satellite from anywhere in the world. The FWOS aims to support fire departments to anticipate fire weather conditions and improve awareness in remote and densely forested regions.

The USDA said the system being designed by Inellisense will integrate new sensing capabilities, including the ability to measure fuel moisture, solar radiation, and particulates through thermal imaging. Intellisense demonstrated these capabilities during its Phase I financing round with the USDA.

“New technology that facilitates the detection and management of wildfires is critical. The FWOS falls right in line with our strategic growth plan in applying our MWS system to the fire weather market and aligns with one of our primary goals of providing advanced solutions that ensure the safety and protection of people and property, especially our front-line firefighters,” Intellisense Vice President and General Manager of Environmental Monitoring Systems David Miller said in a statement.