Smart Tech Predicts Fire Risks in Cities

In a big city, fires can spread quickly. This is a big problem for firefighters. They need to know where to go fast. A new tool might help. It uses math and data to guess where fires will get worse. The tool looks at many things. It checks the age of buildings. It notes the time of day and day of the week. It also uses maps to see where fires happen. All this data helps the tool make smart guesses. The tool was tested. It looked at over 47, 000 fires. It got things right 85. 6% of the time. That's pretty good! The tool found that old buildings are more risky. Fires are worse at night and on weekends. The tool can help firefighters. It can tell them where to go first. This might save time. It might also save lives. The tool could cut damage by 25%. It could reduce injuries by 21%. And it could speed up response times by 18%. But the tool isn't perfect. It worked well in one city. But will it work in others? More tests are needed. The tool also needs to get better. It should learn more about how bad fires can get. This tool is a step forward. It shows how math can help keep us safe. But it's just one tool. Firefighters still need training. Cities still need good plans. Tech can help, but it's not the only answer.