An AI-based drone that speeds up the detection and monitoring of wildfires is presented in Germany

EBERSWALDE, Germany (AP) — A company that specializes in early wildfire detection has developed a new, AI-based drone it says will help speed up the detection, location and monitoring of fires.

The Silvaguard drone by Dryard Networks was presented Thursday in Eberswalde outside of Berlin as wildfires driven by extreme heat and climate change are becoming a more common, often deadly phenomenon around the globe.

The drone will deliver infrared images, among other things, and works in combination with a fire detection system that the company developed earlier and that's already being used in several countries. The fire detection system, called Silvanet, is designed to detect wildfires at the smoldering stage using solar-powered gas sensors connected via a wireless network.

Each gas sensor can protect an area the size of a football field and be attached to a tree. The plan is that once Silvanet detects a fire, it will trigger a nearby Silvaguard drone to fly to the location and provide detailed images.

“Today we saw a combination of Silvanet — the solar powered gas sensors that detected the fire within minutes — with Silvaguard, the first prototype of an autonomous, an AI enabled drone that we dispatched in response to a fire," said Carsten Brinkschulte, the CEO and co-founder, Dryad Networks.

The drone “flew autonomously to the location of the sensor, detecting the fire, and delivered overhead infrared and optical video from the point of fire,” he said of the newly developed drone.

The company is still waiting to get the go-ahead for the commercial use of Silvaguard drone from authorities.

The information about the fire, including geographic coordinates, video and infrared images, will then be sent to the firefighters who will then know where the fire is spreading and how big it is, which will help them know how many firefighters need to be deployed.

“When it comes to wildfires, time is of the essence, you cannot be fast enough," Brinkschulte said.

A luncher of a prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, seen during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, takes off during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, takes off during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A fire-sensitive sensor that send alarms to the AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, installed on trees during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, takes off during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, takes off during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Fire-sensetive sensors that send alarms to the AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, installed on trees during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A firefighter extinguishes a fire during a presentation of a prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

A prototype AI-based drone system with an autonomous Al-based system for early detection of forest fires by Dryad Networks, takes off during the presentation of Silvaguard, in Eberswalde, eastern Germany, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rudy Gobert had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Donte DiVincenzo made a clutch 3-pointer with 28 seconds remaining and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 127-120 on Friday night.

Stephen Curry scored 39 for the Warriors after missing the previous five games with a bruised left quadriceps, but Minnesota held on even without injured star Anthony Edwards (right foot soreness).

DiVincenzo finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists in the first meeting between the teams since the Timberwolves eliminated the Warriors in the second round of the playoffs last season.

Julius Randle had 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Minnesota. Naz Reid added 18 points and seven assists off the bench.

Quinten Post scored 16 points for Golden State. Jimmy Butler had 15 points and eight rebounds.

The game featured 27 lead changes, tied for second-most in the NBA this season, and both teams played short-handed. The Timberwolves were without Edwards, while the Warriors were missing injured Draymond Green.

Minnesota grabbed momentum in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves opened the final period with a 20-7 run and led by 10 with five minutes to go before Curry and Moses Moody connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to pull the Warriors to 108-104.

Golden State briefly led 118-117 following Curry’s free throw with 1:37 remaining, but Gobert had a go-ahead dunk and DiVincenzo made it 123-118 on his 3 with 28 seconds to play as the Wolves closed with a 10-2 surge.

Curry got going quickly in his return. The two-time NBA scoring champ made his first three shots and scored eight of the Warriors' first 12 points.

Timberwolves: Host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Warriors: Play the Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, reacts from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) moves the ball while defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte Divincenzo (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots between Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)