In Bashkiria, number of forest fires has significantly decreased thanks to AI cameras

The "Lesokhranitel" (Forest Guardian) remote monitoring system, equipped with artificial intelligence, is successfully operating in Bashkortostan.

Thanks to automatic smoke detection and early fire detection, the area affected by forest fires in the republic has decreased by more than 40-fold over several years.

The "Lesokhranitel" system began to be implemented in the republic in 2021. "Smart" cameras connected to a neural network are installed on towers ranging from 30 to 228 meters in height in hard-to-reach areas. The equipment automatically scans the territory within a 25 km radius, recording even minor smoke around the clock. The accuracy in determining the coordinates of a potential fire can reach 200 meters.

The information received is transmitted to dispatchers in real time, allowing mobile teams to depart for extinguishing operations at the earliest stage — before the fire spreads over large areas and approaches settlements.

During the first four years of the system's implementation in Bashkiria, 78 forest fires and related incidents were identified; in 2025, with the help of "Lesokhranitel", one forest fire and more than 30 fire outbreaks on lands of other categories bordering the forest fund were detected. In addition to monitoring fires, it also records illegal logging of trees.

According to the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the region plans to purchase about 35 more such cameras in 2026. The "replenishment" will make automated control even more effective and will allow for a faster response to threats.