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The Growing Wildfire Problem Wildfires are no longer a problem limited to traditionally "hot" countries. In recent years, nations once considered low risk, such as the Netherlands and Canada, have faced increasingly severe fire seasons. In 2024 alone, the European Union invested €600 million to bolster its wildfire suppression capabilities, including the purchase of 12 new aircraft to support aerial firefighting operations (Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, 2024) . This investment demonstrates how seriously the EU is taking the threat. But while suppression is necessary, it raises a critical question: Are we only reacting to wildfires instead of addressing their root causes? What if the same level of attention and funding went into prevention? Wildfire Prevention: A Smarter Strategy Rather than focusing all our resources on fighting fires once they ignite, we need to prioritise stopping them before they start. Think of wildfire prevention like routine maintenance on a car: you don’t wait for the engine to break down, you service it to avoid the breakdown altogether. Prevention is proactive, cost-effective, and often far less destructive than firefighting. In fact, every dollar spent on wildfire prevention can save communities between $5 and $10 in suppression and recovery costs (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2017) . How to prevent wildfires? That is where LUCI comes in. LUCI is an AI-powered wildfire prevention tool designed to keep communities one step ahead of the fire. Whether it is wildfire season or not, LUCI continuously analyses your land to detect high-risk zones. It provides clear insights into when , where , and why  a wildfire could ignite, empowering you to take targeted, preventive actions before a fire ever starts. Are You Ready to Fight Wildfires at the Source? It’s time to shift the mindset from reaction to prevention. Let LUCI help you tackle the wildfire crisis at its core—intelligently, proactively, and sustainably. References: Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. (2024, March 25). EU provides €600 million to strengthen rescEU firefighting fleet. European Commission. https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/eu-provides-eu600-million-strengthen-resceu-firefighting-fleet-2024-03-25_en National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2017). Costs and losses of wildfires. https://www.nist.gov/publications/costs-and-losses-wildfires

CHRIS Stitching Together a Clearer Picture of Wildfires When battling wildfires, time and clarity are everything. CHRIS is a wildfire response support solution that transforms raw drone footage into actionable intelligence, in near real-time. By stitching together images from drones in near real-time, CHRIS generates a high-resolution, bird’s-eye view of active wildfire zones. The resulting map includes precise fire boundaries, GPS-located hotspots, and a clear spatial context, all crucial for emergency teams on the ground. The video above showcases CHRIS in action, illustrating how scattered visuals from multiple images are transformed into a coherent operational map. This enhanced situational awareness allows first responders to plan evacuations, allocate resources, and fight the fire more effectively. Whether it's day or night, wide-scale or fast-spreading, CHRIS provides emergency crews with the clarity they need—right when they need it. Are you ready to get a better overview of wildfires? Learn more about CHRIS now. Problem: Getting a Meaningful Wildfire Overview As technology evolves, so does the toolkit of modern fire departments. Drones are now a common sight in wildfire response, offering quick aerial views of affected areas. However, a single drone feed, even when live, is often hard to interpret. Take a moment to watch the first video above. You’ll notice that trying to locate a fire based on a vague reference like “the third tree to the left” just isn’t practical. Drone footage alone, while visually informative, lacks geospatial clarity and a sense of scale.

What Are Wildfires? Wildfires are intense, uncontrolled fires that burn across forests, grasslands, or bushlands. These natural disasters can spread rapidly and consume vast areas, leaving lasting impacts on the environment, economy, and human health. With thousands of wildfires occurring globally each year, it's important to understand how they start, what causes them, and why they seem to be happening more often. In this post, we’ll explore the causes of wildfires, their growing intensity, and the regions most at risk. Impact of Wildfires The effects of wildfires extend far beyond the obvious damage - the areas they burn. Environmental Damage Wildfires destroy forests and animal habitats, reduce biodiversity, and contribute to soil erosion and water contamination. Air Pollution Smoke from wildfires contains harmful particulates and carbon dioxide, worsening air quality and contributing to global warming. Health Hazards Poor air quality from wildfire smoke can cause respiratory issues, especially for children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. Economic Cost The cost of wildfire damage—including firefighting, emergency response, property loss, and recovery—can be enormous. For instance, in 2023, wildfires in Europe caused an estimated €4.1 billion in damages (Bloomberg, 2023). (Bloomberg, 2023) Are Wildfires Getting Worse? Short answer, yes! Research shows that climate change plays a key role in increasing wildfire risk. Rising temperatures, long-term droughts, and changing rainfall patterns are creating perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread (Center for American Progress, 2020). Human activity also plays a growing role. Urban expansion into wildland areas introduces more ignition sources and infrastructure, which can make fires worse. According to NASA, human-caused wildfires now outnumber naturally occurring ones (NASA, n.d.). Moreover, human-caused wildfires tend to be more destructive and harder to control (Joosse, 2020). Most common places for Wildfires? Although wildfires can occur anywhere dry conditions and flammable vegetation exist, certain areas are especially vulnerable. These include: California and the Western United States With hot, dry summers and extensive forests, this region is a hotspot for wildfires (Western Fire Chiefs Association, n.d.). Australia The dry bushland and hot climate make Australia particularly prone to bushfires. Mediterranean countries Countries like Greece, Spain and Italy regularly face summer wildfires due to their dry climates. Amazon Rainforest Although typically humid, deforestation and dry conditions have led to increased fires in this region. What causes wildfires? Wildfires are caused by natural phenomena and human activity. While nature can start fires, humans are responsible for the majority—nearly 90% of wildfires in the U.S., for example (Western Fire Chiefs Association, n.d). Natural Causes Lightning Strikes When lightning strikes a tree or dry vegetation, it can ignite a wildfire. This is the most common natural cause of wildfires. Spontaneous combustion Under specific conditions, organic material like compost or hay can self-ignite due to heat buildup. Human Causes Campfires left attended Many natural and camping areas provide specific locations for campfires. Unfortunately, these rules are not always followed, and fires are sometimes left unsupervised, increasing the risk of a wildfire. Discarded cigarettes Lit cigarettes are frequently thrown from vehicles or buildings, and when they land on dry vegetation, they can easily ignite it, potentially causing fast-spreading fires. Burning Debris Under the right conditions, burning yard debris can quickly escalate into a wildfire. Wind can carry embers over long distances, igniting multiple new hotspots. Power lines  Faulty or downed lines can ignite nearby vegetation Arson Unfortunately, fires are also set intentionally by people. Conclusion Understanding how wildfires start is key to preventing them. While some causes are natural and unavoidable, many wildfires are sparked by human negligence or activity. As wildfires become more frequent and intense, proactive efforts and wildfire prevention, such as responsible land management, public awareness, and climate action, are essential. By addressing both the causes and the conditions that fuel wildfires, we can work toward a future with fewer destructive fire events. References: Bloomberg News. (2023, September 4). Greece suffers most damage as wildfires cost Europe €4.1 billion . Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-04/greece-suffers-most-damage-as-wildfires-cost-europe-4-1-billion Western Fire Chiefs Association. (n.d.). What causes wildfires?   https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/what-causes-wildfires/#:~:text=Humans%20cause%20nearly%2090%25%20of,lightning%20strikes%20and%20volcanic%20eruptions Center for American Progress. (2020, August 28). How climate change makes wildfires more dangerous . https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-climate-change-makes-wildfires-more-dangerous/ NASA .  (n.d.). Wildfires and climate change . NASA Science. https://science.nasa.gov/wildfires-and-climate-change/ Joosse, T. (2020, February 27). Human-sparked wildfires are more destructive than those caused by nature . Science. https://www.science.org/content/article/human-sparked-wildfires-are-more-destructive-those-caused-nature Western Fire Chiefs Association. (n.d.). Where do wildfires occur?   https://wfca.com/wildfire-articles/where-do-wildfires-occur/

According to EUSTAFOR , climate change and global warming are leading to warmer temperatures and drier conditions, causing the fire season to start earlier and last longer.  A year-round wildfire threat As we continue to witness the effects of climate change, the traditional wildfire season has dramatically shifted. With springs becoming drier and autumns warmer, many areas and countries are more susceptible to wildfires. This shift was starkly evident last year when the fire season in Southern Europe began as early as February, well within the winter months, and extended into autumn. This tre nd has only intensified in 2024, with droughts and elevated temperatures further fuelling wildfire risks across the globe. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service , February 2024 was the warmest February on record, marking the ninth consecutive month of unprecedented high temperatures. To summarise, the risk of wildfire is no longer confined to the hottest months; it’s a threat that can emerge almost any time of the year. With the wildfire season extending and fires becoming increasingly destructive, proac tive wildfire management is more critical than ever. But how to prepare for wildfire season? LUCI: Localised Understanding for Combatting Ignition Do you want to identify the most at-risk areas for wildfires and be ready for wildfires always? Our solution LUCI is here to help! LUCI can assess wildfire susceptibility , providing detailed maps that highlight areas susceptible to wildfires, making it a valuable tool for wildfire management. Below is an example o f a wildfire susceptibility map f or the summer 2024 season in Europe. LUCI - Europe Summer 2021 Wildfire Susceptibility Map Why choose LUCI - the Wildfire Prevention Tool? Here is what sets LUCI, the wildfire prevention tool, apart: Globally Applicable: LUCI adapts to country-specific wildfire factors. Provides Accurate Predictions: The solution uses advanced machine learning to deliver accurate predictions, keeping you a step ahead i n wildfire prevention. Unprecedented Insight: LUCI gives detailed insights into wildfire risk contributing factors. Highly Detailed Risk Localisation: The solution precisely highlights the most at-risk areas. Turn-key: LUCI is a user-friendly wildfire risk map. With LUCI’ s wildfire risk mapping c apabilities, you can take control of the situation and make the best decisions for you before it escalates into a disaster. Want to know how to keep your land safe no matter the season? Contact us now!

We are excited to share that Melvin Sieben, our CEO & Co-founder, has been featured in an insightful article by the Financieele Dagblad. Our co-founder, Melvin Sieben, was deeply moved by the devastating bushfires he witnessed in Australia, inspiring him to develop cutting-edge technology to combat this growing global crisis. From Personal Experience to Global Innovation Melvin Sieben, who studied technical physics at TU Delft and the University of Amsterdam, had spent the long Christmas holidays in Australia with his wife’s family. Seeing the destruction caused by wildfires year after year, he felt compelled to find a solution. With a background in entrepreneurship and leadership, he partnered with Joris Kohl van Wijngaarden, a former colleague, to launch MEJOR Technologies in 2019—just after the catastrophic Black Summer Fires. With an initial government grant of €350 000, they set out to develop an early wildfire detection system based on drones. However, they soon realised that focusing on AI-driven software - rather than hardware - would be a smarter approach. This led to the development of two groundbreaking solutions: LUCI and CHRIS. Advanced AI Solutions for Wildfire Prevention & Mitigation MEJOR Technologies has developed two innovative solutions that leverage artificial intelligence and real-time data to prevent and mitigate wildfires: LUCI - Wildfire Prevention Uses machine learning and satellite data to assess wildfire risks at any location. Factors in weather conditions, vegetation, topography, and infrastructure to generate wildfire risk insights. LUCI provides crucial data for proactive fire prevention, such as where to conduct controlled burns to remove fuel before a disaster strikes. CHRIS - Wildfire Mapping Helps firefighters and emergency responders combat active wildfires more efficiently. Creates real-time interactive fire maps by stitching together drone images, offering a comprehensive view of the fire’s spread. Enables coordinated action by allowing access to live data for command centres and field teams alike. Scaling Up: The Future of MEJOR Technologies Despite the rising global threat of wildfires - evidenced by the recent Los Angeles wildfires - gaining traction with clients remains a challenge. MEJOR Technologies has successfully conducted trials in Australia and secured additional funding, but 2025 will be crucial for turning interest into revenue-generating projects. "We have customers testing CHRIS in real-world conditions, and we expect to convert them into paying clients soon," says Sieben in the interview with Financieele Dagblad. " LUCI holds even greater potential, but its adoption depends on government agencies, making the process slower. We are already in talks with governments in Bulgaria and Pakistan, but 2025 will be a make-or-break year for us. " With our technology poised to save lives, protect ecosystems, and minimise economic damage, MEJOR Technologies remains committed to pioneering AI-driven wildfire management solutions worldwide. Read the full article here: https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1544257/melvin-sieben-helpt-bosbranden-te-bestrijden

With wildfires becoming increasingly destructive worldwide – most recently the mega-fires in Los Angeles - the need for a solution to wildfires is greater than ever before! Currently For years, wildfire management has primarily focused on suppression - putting out fires as quickly as possible. Governments have poured billions into firefighting efforts, investing in helicopters, equipment and personnel to combat increasingly frequent and intense blazes. For instance, the European Union increased its wildfire-fighting budget by 35% over five years, reaching €37.8 billion (BNN Bloomberg, August 2024). In California alone, the state’s firefighting budget stands at $4.2 billion (California Department of Finance, 2024). While well-funded firefighting teams are essential, the rising number of megafires suggests that increasing budgets alone is not solving the problem. With climate change fueling more extreme wildfires, we need to shift our focus. Suppression can no longer be our only strategy. So what is the alternative? A Smarter Approach: Wildfire Prevention Instead of fighting fires once they start, we should be working to prevent them in the first place! Wildfires are a natural phenomenon, and our best chance at reducing their destruction is through proactive land management. Thoughtful land-use planning, controlled burns, and fuel reduction efforts can significantly lower wildfire risks before they spiral out of control. Beyond safety, prevention is also the more cost-effective solution. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (2021), for every dollar spent on wildfire prevention communities can save between 5-10 dollars in suppression and recovery costs. Investing in prevention does not just protect lives and ecosystems - it also saves billions in emergency response and reforesting efforts. This is where LUCI, an AI-powered wildfire prevention tool, comes in. Meet LUCI: AI-powered wildfire prevention tool LUCI helps identify where, when and why wildfires are likely to occur - before they even start. By analysing landscape conditions and historical fire data, LUCI allows landowners, policymakers and firefighters to take action before it is too late. How LUCI works: Off Wildfire Season: During the off-wildfire season, LUCI analyses your land for trends and past risks in specific areas most prone to wildfires in the upcoming season, allowing you to take proactive measures such as conducting prescribed burns or removing highly flammable plants. On Wildfire Season: During wildfire season, LUCI prioritises resource allocation, evaluates immediate wildfire risks, and actively monitors land conditions to ensure effective and timely response monitoring of the land. The Future of Wildfire Management Wildfires aren’t going away—but our approach to managing them must evolve. By shifting from a reactive to a proactive strategy with tools like LUCI, we can reduce the devastation of mega-fires, protect communities, and build a more resilient future. The time to act is now. Are you ready to embrace prevention over suppression? Contact us now to learn more about how LUCI can help you! References: BNN Bloomberg. (2024, August 16). Europe’s €42 billion effort to fight fires is an uphill battle.  Retrieved from https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/2024/08/16/europes-42-billion-effort-to-fight-fires-is-an-uphill-battle/ California Department of Finance. (2024). 2024-25 Budget Summary: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection . Retrieved from https://ebudget.ca.gov/2024-25/pdf/Enacted/BudgetSummary/NaturalResourcesandEnvironmentalProtection.pdf National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2023). Wildland-urban interface fire exposure scale  (NIST Special Publication 1215). U.S. Department of Commerce. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1215

Wildfires are no longer rare or predictable—they’re fast, fierce, and growing in both scale and frequency. As the climate shifts and fire seasons intensify, response teams need better ways to get an overview of the wildfires quickly. Wildfire Management Wildfires are becoming increasingly aggressive and frequent. Mega-fires are now more common than ever, and strong winds can rapidly create new hotspots, escalating the crisis faster than responders can contain the previous one. In this new reality, effective wildfire management is more critical than ever. Traditional tools are no longer enough. That's where innovation steps in. Meet CHRIS: Your Wildfire Overview System CHRIS is a wildfire response support system designed to provide rapid situational awareness in the chaos of a fire. It works by stitching drone imagery together in near real-time to create a high-resolution map of the affected area, whilst also detecting the hotspots whilst also analysing the drone footage to see where hotspots are. CHRIS automatically: Detects wildfire hotspots Provides precise GPS coordinates Draws firelines and heat zones Delivers a comprehensive and up-to-date wildfire map to responders on the ground This enables faster, smarter decisions when every second counts. Why Existing Solutions Fall Short Several methods currently exist for monitoring and creating overviews of wildfires—satellite imagery, watch towers, and drone footage. While each has its strengths, they come with significant limitations: Satellite imagery : Often delayed due to satellite positioning and cloud cover Watch towers : Risky for personnel, and limited in scope—offering only a narrow, line-of-sight perspective Raw drone footage : Without analysis, it's just video. Telling someone "the fire is near the third tree on the left" is hardly actionable intelligence CHRIS solves these issues by turning raw drone data into an operational wildfire map, nearly in real-time, accurately, and in a way that is easy to interpret. The Future of Wildfire Management Wildfires aren't going away, but our approach to managing them must evolve. Don't let your team walk into the chaos of wildfire. With CHRIS, you can turn fragmented data into a live, actionable overview - when every second matters. Contact us today to learn how CHRIS can support your wildfire response efforts, or request a demo to see it in action.

From VU Amsterdam's the Dream Team Burning Lowlands, pictured from left to right — back row: Christoph Geib, Alyson Ranucci, Paul Kandathil Parambil, Milica Mijailović ; front row: Futaba Tamura, Eva Koppen, Bettina Nardelli MEJOR Technologies recently supported a research initiative by the “Dream Team Burning Lowlands” from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, providing wildfire risk maps to explore how technology can influence public understanding of wildfire threats, right here in the Netherlands . Wildfire Communication With climate change pushing wildfire risks into new territory, including the densely forested Veluwe region, this study set out to understand how different formats of risk communication impact public perception. The team conducted a survey experiment with 160 participants who had previously visited Veluwe, comparing how people responded to four different types of wildfire risk messages, ranging from simple maps to AI-labelled visualisations. MEJOR Technologies contributed the wildfire risk maps used in the experiment, which helped simulate real-world communication scenarios. Key Findings: AI labelling reduced perceived severity  of wildfire risk, suggesting that disclosing the use of AI might unintentionally downplay the urgency of the message. Maps explained with plain text (but no AI label)  generated the highest perception of severity, suggesting that clarity matters more than tech jargon. Perceived likelihood of wildfire  was not significantly influenced by either the AI label or the type of map. Interestingly, trust in AI or fear of AI  did not alter how people interpreted the risks. Dream Team Burning Lowlands Research Poster: