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Installing Wildfire Sensors

Install sensors using treenails or garden wire, then let them calibrated for 14 days before they are ready to detect fires.

Demonstration of installing a Wildfire Sensor on a tree

Deployment steps

Deploying sensors involves the following basic steps:

  1. Locate the deployment location.

  2. Scan the QR Code of the sensor to register the device with the Silvanet Cloud.

  3. Attach the sensor to the tree.

  4. Allow the sensor to calibrate.

  5. Verify the deployment with the Site Management app.

Attaching sensors using treenails (Long term)

Treenails are wooden pegs used to securely attach sensors to a tree. As they are made from wood, they do not affect the health of the tree. Over time the tree's moisture causes the treenails to expand which securely attaches the sensor to the tree.

Drill a 10 mm hole into the tree 3 m from the forest floor on the side of the tree where sunlight would strike the tree at 12:00 noon. The treenails are fed through a loop in the sensor and a spacer and then hammered into the tree.

  1. With the help of an assistant, stabilize the ladder against the tree.

  2. Locate the correct height (3 m) and direction (facing sun at 12:00 noon).

  3. Carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe at that location. Try not to excessively damage the tree.

    Carefully remove small area of bark

    Remove small area of bark at the install location

  4. Carefully drill a hole approximately 6-7 cm into the tree using the 10mm drill bit. Do not drill deeper than this recommended depth to prevent unnecessary damage to the tree.

    Drill a pilot hole first

    When drilling into a hardwood tree, start with a smaller drill bit to drill a pilot hole then drill with the 10mm drill bit to complete the drill hole. Ensure you are using a drill bit for wood.

    Drill hole

    Carefully drill 10mm hole

  5. Insert a treenail through the sensor's loop, slip a spacer onto the treenail and then carefully hammer the treenail into the hole. Ensure the treenail is not damaged by the hammering.

    Hammer in treenail

    Hammer in treenail through sensor and spacer

  6. Ensure the sensor is securely deployed to the tree and hanging loosely and vertically.

    Sensor attached with treenail and spacer

    Sensor attached with treenail and spacer

  7. Continue deploying the remainder of the sensors in the Packet using the same procedure.

Attaching using garden wire (temporary only)

Sensors can be attached using garden wire for short term installations. Garden wire is typically used in agricultural and garden settings such as greenhouses. This solution should only be used for a limited time as the wire will eventually interfere with growth in the tree's girth.

  1. With the help of an assistant, stabilize the ladder against the tree.

  2. Locate the correct height (3 m) and direction (facing sun at 12:00 noon).

  3. Cut a length of garden wire twice as long than the circumference of the tree.

  4. Insert garden wire through the spacer and sensor as shown below.

    Insert garden wire

    Insert garden wire through sensor and spacer

  5. Tighten the garden wire around the tree. Ensure it is securely attached and that the sensor cannot slip or move.

    Sensor installed with garden wire

    Sensor installed with garden wire

  6. Continue deploying the remainder of the sensors in the Packet.

Additional resources