The Silvanet system, developed by Germany’s Dryad, employs AI-enabled gas sensors within a large-scale, solar-powered mesh network embedded in forested areas. The technology focuses on early detection to prevent wildfires from spreading out of control.
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With 139,000 hectares of forest - roughly 13 per cent of its land area -Lebanon’s forests are increasingly at risk from wildfires due to climate change. Extended periods of drought pose a threat, elevating the risk of fires in higher-altitude regions that historically experienced fewer wildfires. Additionally, pest outbreaks are contributing to the desiccation of trees before the onset of the fire season. Lebanon's renowned cedars, along with junipers and firs, are among the endangered forest ecosystems.
Mada - a telecoms operator in the Middle East and Africa – had deployed Silvanet at a pilot site at Deir Mar Moussa in central Lebanon. Deployed since January 2023, the site features 91 sensors and two gateways, covering a 78-hectare area.
On December 11th, Silvanet flagged a small illegal fire within 30 minutes. The system detected a change in air composition through the Bosch BME688 gas sensor. Subsequent gas scans identified hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Silvanet's AI then predicted a 70 per cent probability of smoke at 10:33 am, triggering an alert to the customer.
"Our partnership with Dryad reflects our commitment to leveraging advanced technology for the greater good,” said Dr Nassif Bechara, Mada general manager.
“Silvanet's success in detecting and preventing wildfires reaffirms the importance of such collaborations in safeguarding our environment."
According to Dryad, Silvanet's AI model has been developed over the past three years and can be tailored to different environments. In order to reduce network load and enable large-scale deployments, the AI models are executed in the sensors and distributed over-the-air throughout the network without requiring physical maintenance.
"We are dedicated to refining our technology to address evolving challenges,” said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder of Dryad.
“The recent incident in Lebanon highlights the crucial role of ultra-early detection in protecting vulnerable regions from the devastating impact of wildfires."
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