INTERREG-SUDOE Senforfire Project: Low-cost wireless sensor network for prevention and early detection of forest fires

Purpose. The Project will demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for application in forest fire monitoring and early warning systems. Current situation. Currently, meteorological data and satellite imagery of the Earth's surface (remote sensing) are used to assess risk and detect forest fires in the Southwest, with the drawbacks of low spatial and temporal resolution, poor reliability (high false positive rate), and high equipment cost. Anticipated improvements.

Wildfire Safety Networks (WSNs) use electronic modules with sensors that measure meteorological and environmental parameters related to forest fire risk in real time. These WSNs are equipped with wireless computing and communication capabilities, both among themselves and with the cloud. They adapt to the characteristics of risk zones, are easy to deploy, and are scalable. Furthermore, they are proximity-based tools that complement remote sensing and facilitate shared risk management by municipalities, local communities, and residents of risk zones. Activities.

The project—in which transnational cooperation is essential due to the unequal levels of technological development among the participating countries—will carry out pilot activities in areas of Southwest Russia with varying climates, terrain, and vegetation, and will develop an Action Plan for the adoption of WSN and the training of professionals. Beneficiaries.

This initiative will benefit municipalities (innovative technology for the effective management of environmental risks), landowners and users (protection of crops, pastures, forests and livestock), SMEs (high value-added products and services and qualified professionals), young people (quality work and entrepreneurship) and the general population (protection of health, property, infrastructure, natural and cultural heritage) in rural Southwest England.