Monitoring birdhouses equipped with intelligent sensors to combat forest blazes, under this initiative
In the face of increasing wildfires, a new project developed by the Disaster Management Center at Izmir University of Economics is set to revolutionise forest fire prevention efforts. The project, which is set to be piloted in Izmir's Balcova district, involves the use of smart sensors housed within birdhouses to monitor forest conditions.
The urgency of the project is underscored by the recent spate of wildfires that swept across Türkiye during one of the hottest summers on record. With 23.2 million hectares of forested land, including 431,000 hectares in Izmir, the need for effective fire prevention measures is paramount.
The project, spearheaded by the project developer Kılıç, aims to provide a scalable model for safeguarding forests at a low cost. The system, once implemented, will allow firefighting teams to respond swiftly without losing critical time.
Each sensor, costing approximately 1,200 Turkish Liras, measures temperature, humidity, smoke, and heat fluctuations in forests. They are equipped with solar panels and small batteries, enabling them to function for 45 days non-stop with minimal sunlight. A single base station can control up to 10,000 sensors, transmitting the collected data to an artificial intelligence-powered monitoring center for instant detection of potential fire outbreaks.
The estimated cost for round-the-clock surveillance of the 18-hectare Balcova Forest with 40 sensors is 48,000 Turkish Liras, a figure that Kılıç believes underscores the project's affordability. The project's technology could potentially serve not only in fire prevention but also in continuous monitoring of ecosystems.
The pilot phase of the project is set to be implemented in the Balcova district, but the project's reach may extend beyond Turkey. The project developer, Kılıç, has expressed interest in collaborating with a university in Denmark to implement the pilot project in the Nature Park Lillebælt area.
The project, which is a joint effort between the director of the Disaster Management Center and a mechatronics engineering student, is a testament to the innovative spirit and commitment to safety in Turkey. As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat, this smart sensor project offers a promising solution to the growing problem.
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