Detecting Wildfires Before They Spread: How Team Firefighters Took on Early Response

Wildfires are becoming more intense and more frequent around the world. For Team Firefighters at the BCG Platinion Hackathon 2024, that wasn’t just a statistic, it was a starting point.

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Their project focused on a simple but powerful idea: what if drones could detect fires the moment they start? The team developed a solution that combined aerial monitoring with machine learning models built in Python and PyTorch, all hosted on a serverless AWS infrastructure for speed and scalability.

By identifying flames early, their tool could enable emergency services to respond faster and more effectively, potentially preventing catastrophic outcomes.

The Firefighters team showcased what the Hackathon does best: fast, cross-functional collaboration with a purpose. From backend implementation to real-world relevance, their prototype demonstrated the potential of tech solutions built under pressure.

As we look ahead to Hackathon 2025, we’re inviting a new wave of participants to bring their skills to this year’s challenge: the Future of Education & Learning.

Applications are open now — and close on September 7.

Apply here to join.