Smoke monitoring and measurement using image processing: application to forest fires

Abstract

Smoke detection and monitoring is required for the implementation of advanced forest fire fighting strategies and validation of smoke dispersion models. The latter involve the measurement of smoke column properties. The method proposed in this paper is based on the application of computer-based image processing techniques to visual images taken from fire-spread tests. The method presented involves the application of wavelets and optical flow for fire smoke detection and monitoring. A set of experimental results are reported in the paper, showing the interest of the presented system.