ENHANCED CENTRAL NODE DESIGN FOR A WIRELESS WILDFIRE DETECTION SYSTEM WITH WIND MONITORING AND POWER OPTIMIZATION

The impact of wildfires reaches beyond their immediate location. This project seeks to overcome the limitations of current wildfire detection systems by developing a smart central node to enhance fire spread detection and reduce wildfire damage risks. It also investigates the integration of firefighting strategies, such as the 10% rule of thumb, by observing wind speed and wind direction as a part of the system’s predictive capabilities, thus improving wildfire mitigation efforts. The system uses sensors that measure wind speed and direction to track how wildfires spread —key factors in predicting fire behavior. Since these sensors require reliable power and connectivity, the design includes solar panels and a larger battery to ensure continuous operation in remote areas. The system also uses energy-efficient wireless communication to transmit real-time data, helping firefighters monitor risks faster. The redesigned central node aims to improve reliability, energy efficiency, and environmental monitoring precision and offer a robust solution for wildfire detection. Enhancing the system’s capabilities to swiftly identify young fires and predict fire spread patterns.