Russia’s ‘Forest Watch’ Tech Marks 15 Years of Fighting Wildfires

A homegrown system combining smart sensors and AI-powered cameras has become a key weapon in Russia’s wildfire detection strategy—and is now gaining global traction.

Since 2010, Russia has relied on a high-tech surveillance system called “Forest Watch” to detect and respond to wildfires. As the platform celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, it continues to evolve, integrating increasingly advanced technologies, according to the company DiSiKon.

The system is equipped with intelligent sensors, cameras, communication modules, and various servers—including a central hub for database storage. Cameras are mounted 30 meters high on existing infrastructure like cell towers and radio masts, giving operators a live view of forested areas within a 20- to 35-kilometer radius. This setup not only maximizes coverage but also keeps hardware safe from vandalism.

Forest Watch automatically detects smoke and flames, calculates the exact coordinates of the fire, and sends real-time alerts to a control center. It can also estimate the distance to the fire and map out a route for emergency responders. The platform runs 24/7 to monitor conditions in the forest zones under its watch.

As of 2025, the system operates in 49 Russian regions. Its success has also attracted international attention, with deployments in countries such as Bulgaria and South Africa.