Monitoring and Prevention of Forest Fires Using Wireless Sensor Networks

Forest fires as a specific type of natural hazard are steadily increasing in recent decades in the world and Serbia. The most significant negative consequences are environmental (devastation of forest ecosystems), economic (resources loss and financial damage), and social (environmental pollution, loss of human lives). Due to the numerous factors that allow the occurrence and spread of forest fires, it is necessary to use modern methods for their early detection. Many methods and safety systems have been developed to prevent and to monitor forest fires. In addition to expensive remote-sensing monitoring systems (expensive specially equipped aircraft and satellites), there are more practical solutions. Satellite system networks technology has its drawbacks, data collection is difficult or impossible due to bad weather (cloudiness, smoke). Wireless network sensors have their advantages: low cost, reliability and easy installation, wireless data transfer, and low power consumption. The system is applicable in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, security, forest fire-prevention, etc. Wireless network sensors system monitor forest fires even when they are forming, regardless of the accessibility of the terrain, the size of the space of interest, or its distance. The information collected allows for taking quick and effective action to suppress and extinguish forest fires.