How tech is helping in the battle against wildfires has seen a shift from human lookouts to AI-assisted cameras. These can detect fires up to 20km away and distinguish smoke from dust with near-certainty. Firefighters receive alerts on their phones, giving them crucial time to act.

In France's Gironde region, systems from companies like Midgard and FireTracking have reduced false alarms and saved valuable minutes. For instance, AI detected seven fires 15 minutes before the first call was made. Every minute counts: a fire can go from manageable to out of control in just three.

As for drones, they're still being tested for sea rescue tasks but not yet for firefighting. Dash planes spray fire retardant, while companies like Daidelos aim to develop heavy-lifting drones capable of dropping 1.2 tonnes of water. Driven by AI and autonomous response systems, these innovations could offer a faster first response.

However, Chief Sergeant Guillaume Millet believes that ground troops are still essential. 'It's always the firefighters on the ground, pulling the hoses, who extinguish the fires,' he says. While tech aids detection, it can't replace human strength and water in combating wildfires.