Scientists from Tomsk are learning to detect natural fires that are just starting.

This will help detect fires at an early stage, facilitate the extinguishing of wildfires, and protect local residents.

Currently, researchers from Tomsk State University and the Institute of Atmospheric Optics SB RAS are conducting experiments in laboratories and at special testing sites.

“We modeled the forest canopy from the tops of pine trees, which were previously harvested during thinning,” He explained Denis Kasymov, associate professor at the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics at Tomsk State University and project leader, said, "This is a model of a pine forest canopy, and we simulate ground fires using pre-prepared and dried plant fuels."

Scientists then analyze changes in temperature, humidity, and pressure recorded by meteorological stations located at various altitudes. They also study the distribution of combustion products in the air and the flame temperature in a simulated forest fire.

The main goal of scientists is to find a physically based method for early detection of a fire, which is based on the physical phenomena accompanying a natural fire.