Drones Detect Smoldering Hotspots in Forests

Intelligent sensor technology for wildfire response

Wildfires are becoming an increasing challenge for fire brigades and disaster response agencies across Central Europe—particularly when it comes to locating hidden smoldering hotspots beneath dense vegetation. The EU-funded project PROACTIF, coordinated by Nokia, brings together 42 European partners from research and industry to address this issue. Led by Fraunhofer IZM, the German consortium is developing an innovative multi-sensor system specifically designed for drones, combining radar and infrared technologies to automatically detect heat sources even beneath the forest canopy.

Lightweight, autonomous and highly precise

The newly developed multi-sensor module integrates short- and long-range radar with infrared sensing in a compact unit weighing less than three kilograms. This enables drones to fly autonomously at speeds of up to 30 km/h beneath the tree canopy, detect obstacles, and reliably identify concealed hotspots. The breakthrough is made possible by the combination of three advanced packaging technologies—LTCC, molding and embedding—which together deliver long range, robustness and high energy efficiency. In the future, these drones will be able to provide critical situational awareness even before firefighters arrive on site, significantly improving operational efficiency.

Field trials and a European outlook

The technology will soon be tested in realistic field scenarios in German forests, including locations in the Münsterland region and near Wiesenburg, in close coordination with forestry authorities and fire services. In the long term, drones could be deployed automatically following a wildfire alert, generating an accurate assessment of the situation and helping determine the actual number of responders required. Beyond wildfire management, the technology also holds promise for search-and-rescue missions and the monitoring of critical infrastructure. Through its contribution to PROACTIF, the German consortium is strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty and competitiveness in autonomous systems.