German researchers prevent forest fires with electronic "sniff detectors"

A new way to stop future forest fires is being tested in Germany. Electronic "nose sensors" help to "smell" new wildfires, in order to prevent them from spreading. 

The smoke sensors are tested by lighting bonfires at different distances from them. The hope is that the sensors will also be able to "sniff out" what kind of fire it is.

Raimund Engel, responsible for fighting forest fires in Brandenburg, says that in recent years they have been able to significantly reduce the size of fire-affected areas. Last year, over 500 forest fires broke out in Brandenburg, making it Germany's worst-hit region for wildfires. 

"If you detect a forest fire early enough, you can stop great devastation", says Engel.

According to an article on EuroNews, the sensors can detect the gases emitted during the earliest, phase of a fire, allowing a more efficient and faster intervention.

Around 400 early-detection sensors have been installed in the Eberswalde forest in Brandenburg, the German region most impacted by wildfires.

Another article on NewVision.co says that the detectors uses AI algorithms to tell the difference between an emerging wildfire or the diesel fumes from a truck passing by. 

Photo Credit:

With the help of artificial intelligence, the sensor can tell the difference between a nascent wildfire or, for example, the fumes from a passing diesel truck. Image Courtesy: Dryad