UdM AI remote sensing research advances climate resilience in Atlantic Canada

From the Springboard Content Lab

• New AI model improves next-day wildfire spread prediction.
• Combines fuel, weather, and environmental data using an Ensemble-of-Experts approach.
• Developed at the Université de Moncton’s PRIME Laboratory.
• Supports climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and environmental management.
• Demonstrates the growing impact of AI and remote sensing research in addressing real-world challenges.

A team of researchers at the Université de Moncton, has developed a new AI-driven model designed to improve next-day wildfire spread prediction using advanced remote sensing data. At the Perception, Robotics and Intelligent Machines (PRIME) Laboratory.

The research was led by master’s student Henintsoa Andrianarivony under the supervision of Moulay Akhloufi at the Perception, Robotics and Intelligent Machines (PRIME) Laboratory (PRIME Lab,). The research is important contribution to the growing field of AI-enabled environmental monitoring and disaster management.

Published in the journal Remote Sensing, the research introduces FireEx, a modality-aware Ensemble-of-Experts model that combines multiple sources of environmental information to generate more accurate wildfire growth forecasts. The system analyzes fuel conditions, weather patterns, and other environmental variables independently before integrating them into a unified prediction model.

FireEX tool uses AI to make accurate fire and weather forecasts

Wildfire behaviour is influenced by a complex combination of factors, making accurate forecasting a significant challenge. FireEx addresses this challenge by leveraging specialized AI models trained on specific data types, including fuel and weather information, alongside a comprehensive model that incorporates all available variables. By combining the strengths of these different approaches, the technology delivers improved predictions of next-day wildfire expansion.

As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires, predictive technologies like FireEx have the potential to support emergency responders, resource managers, and policymakers by providing earlier and more reliable insights into wildfire behaviour.

Springboard Atlantic Connection

Universite de Moncton is a member of the Springboard Network of 19 post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada. Research like FireEx highlights the expertise and innovation emerging from Atlantic Canada’s post-secondary institutions. Through collaborative research and knowledge mobilization, Springboard Atlantic helps connect discoveries such as AI-enabled wildfire prediction with partners who can transform research outcomes into practical solutions for communities, industry, and government.