Failure in the resin: Why do forest fire sensors do not trigger an alarm?

Failure in the resin: Why do forest fire sensors do not trigger an alarm?

In the summer of 2023, several forest fire sensors were installed in the Harz National Park to support the early detection of forest fires. These sensors placed along the Brockenbahn railway line measure gases such as carbon monoxide, which typically arise in forest fires. Despite these technologies, the sensors have so far not triggered an alarm in fires. The responsible Ministry of Economic Affairs and Forestry is currently examining the reasons for the failure of the detectors, while an expansion of the project is planned at the same time.

The sensors cover a radius of two to five kilometers and evaluate the data collected using artificial intelligence within milliseconds. This information should then be forwarded to the fire brigades immediately. The cost of operating the sensors amounts to almost 29,000 euros annually. The chairman of the State Fire Brigade Association, Kai-Uwe Lohse, critically commented on the functionality of the sensors and the satellite-based surveillance, which was discontinued this year.

criticism of technology

In 2024, there were increasing fires, including in September on the Königsberg. Together with satellite monitoring, the sensors should contribute to early fire detection. In the past, forest fires often occurred near the railway tracks, making the installation of the sensors sensible. Nevertheless, the lack of alarm dissolutions shows a considerable shortcoming in technology, which questions the effectiveness of the measures for fire fighting in the region.

For more information about this topic, TAG24 so far not worked as intended. Additional details can also be found in the report of Tageblatt , which also deals with the problem of the sensors.

-transmitted by West-Ost-Medien