SpaceX Starlink Internet Helping Emergency Responders in Washington State

SpaceX Starlink internet is helping first responders in Washington State assist residents dealing with the fallout of wildfires.

According to the Washington Military Department and its Emergency Management Division, they tweeted out today, “Happy to have the support of @SpaceX’s Starlink internet as emergency responders look to help residents rebuild the town of Malden, WA that was overcome by wildfires earlier this month. #wawildfire”

Happy to have the support of @SpaceX’s Starlink internet as emergency responders look to help residents rebuild the town of Malden, WA that was overcome by wildfires earlier this month. #wawildfire pic.twitter.com/xUSQOjcT4T

— WA Emergency Management (@waEMD) September 28, 2020

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk replied, “Glad SpaceX could help! We are prioritizing emergency responders & locations with no Internet connectivity at all.”

Glad SpaceX could help! We are prioritizing emergency responders & locations with no Internet connectivity at all.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 28, 2020

Starlink is SpaceX’s low earth orbit satellite internet service, which aims to connect rural and hard to reach areas with high-speed connectivity. Currently, it’s being tested in private beta but a public beta is expected to launch soon for those in the United States and Canada.

Wildfires engulfed nearly 90% of the Town of Malden earlier this month, destroying homes and the town’s post office and fire station.