Forest fire detection system using barrier coverage in wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Forest fires are one of the main reasons for various types of pollution and disturb an ecology in a very impactful way. Technological applications to detect, monitor, and avoid forest fires have helped reduce the damage caused by these fires but are not effective in many situations. Wireless sensor networks have played a crucial role in many of these methods. Barrier coverage-based sensor networks are the solution. This paper puts forth a system that helps in the early detection of forest fires and helps authorities to get into action to avoid them as soon as possible. Sensor nodes in this system are drones that hover over the area under surveillance. These drones are equipped with the necessary setup to detect forest fires and to transfer data to other nodes so that the information reaches the appropriate authorities. These drones form a set of barriers so that fire starting at any point in the area is detected. A base station is considered as the final destination of data and communication is done through the X-bee module protocol. Data is hopped from one node to another until it reaches the base station.