A new artificial intelligence system developed in Bulgaria is capable of forecasting forest fire risk across Europe, offering both predictive data for institutions and clear explanations accessible to the public. The system, named FireScope AI, was created by the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
The development comes amid rising wildfire threats across the continent. According to the European Environment Agency, forest fires already cause around €2.5 billion in damages annually within the EU, while forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization indicate that fire risk in Europe is expected to grow further due to climate change. Against this backdrop, INSAIT’s system is presented as a tool that could strengthen prevention and preparedness efforts at national and regional level, while also supporting broader climate adaptation strategies.
Alongside the forecasting model, INSAIT has also released a high-resolution AI-generated map showing long-term fire risk patterns across Europe. The map is designed to help authorities and policymakers identify high-risk zones and better direct resources toward prevention, land-use planning, and emergency readiness.
