Israel flies AI‑drone for wildfire detection

A prototype unmanned aircraft equipped with machine‑learning algorithms successfully performed its first flight over a test burn area in the Negev desert.

The system analyses infrared imagery in real time to flag heat signatures that match early‑stage fire patterns.

The ministry plans a series of operational trials with the Israel Fire and Rescue Services before offering the technology to EU nations seeking to modernise their forest‑fire monitoring fleets.

Officials stress that the drone can complement satellite data, reducing response times by hours.