New tech boosts emergency response in NW China forest

After the alert, the high resolution satellite images could help create 3D sand tables that would allow responders to calculate the shortest time required to arrive at the site. The images could also be used to see if projects in the forest exceeded their approved area, he added.

"Alongside drones, the technologies are drastically cutting the time needed for firefighting and daily patrolling," Bai said, adding that routine patrols that used to take weeks could be finished in 30 minutes.

The use of cutting-edge technologies is part of a program launched by Qiaobei forestry administration in 2015 to make conservation efforts more intelligent and efficient. More than 3 million yuan ($418,912) has been pumped into the project, including for purchasing surveillance equipment and 16 drones.

In June, the administration was among a small number of users allowed access to the high resolution satellite image database owned by the newly created National Forestry and Grassland Administration. It further enhanced its emergency response capability.