Step by Step Guide: Fire Test

Once your Fire Test is fully planned and prepared, follow these steps to conduct it safely and collect accurate alert data. This assumes that all necessary permissions have been obtained, a professional fire specialist is present, and the test site has been properly selected.

Important: Dryad does not provide guidance on prescribed burns. These fire types should only be conducted by trained fire professionals.

Follow All Steps

We recommend following this procedure closely to ensure test consistency, alert accuracy, and fire safety. 

1. Check Live Site Health before the fire is started 

1. Open your site in the Dryad Site Management App.

2. Verify that all devices in the Device Overview list are active and have sufficient battery and connectivity. 

2. Be Prepared to Record Test Results

To provide a comprehensive analysis of Fire Test outcomes, it is important to capture data not automatically recorded by the Silvanet platform. If you are preparing a report for user validation, training, demonstrations, or to confirm that alerts meet operational requirements, we recommend collecting the following information for each test:

Fire Details:

• Fire geo-location

• Fire type

• Fire materials

• Fire start time

• First smoke time

• Fire end time

• Wind direction

• Wind speed

Visual Documentation:

• Photos and/or video of fire start and progression

• Smoke reaching the sensors

Collecting this information alongside the data from the Silvanet platform provides a comprehensive record of the test and helps ensure accurate analysis and reporting.

Note: Accurate documentation is essential for troubleshooting, sensor performance evaluation, and machine learning model improvements.

3. Start The Fire

Your fire specialists can now commence the controlled burn. 

Example of a controlled (prescribed) burn conducted by trained fire professionals to simulate real wildfire conditions for sensor testing.

Typical Steps for a Controlled Burn by Fire Professionals

1. Final Site Assessment

   • Inspect the approved burn area to ensure it is safe and ready.

   • Confirm that all firebreaks, barriers, and safety zones are in place.

   • Verify weather conditions (wind, humidity, temperature) are within safe limits.

2. Equipment Setup

   • Position fire suppression tools: hoses, water tanks, extinguishers, shovels, and fire blankets.

   • Set up communication equipment to coordinate between team members.

   • Prepare ignition tools (e.g., drip torches, matches) in a safe location.

3. Ignition Planning

   • Determine the ignition pattern and sequence to control fire spread.

   • Only ignite the planned amount of fuel to achieve the desired test conditions.

   • Assign roles for ignition, monitoring, and suppression.

4. Ignition

   • Carefully ignite the fire according to the pre-planned pattern.

   • Ensure flames are contained within designated boundaries.

5. Monitoring the Fire

   • Continuously observe fire behavior, smoke, and spread.

   • Maintain constant communication with team members.

   • Watch for changes in wind or environmental conditions and adjust as needed.

6. Data Observation for the Test

   • Ensure the fire interacts with Silvanet Sensors as expected.

   • Monitor smoke, heat, and alert triggers to capture accurate test results.

7. Fire Control and Suppression

   • Be ready to extinguish flames immediately if the fire exceeds safe boundaries.

   • Use water, shovels, and other suppression tools to maintain control.

8. Extinguishment and Safety Check

   • Douse all remaining flames and embers thoroughly.

   • Inspect the site for any smoldering materials or hidden hotspots.

   • Confirm that the area is completely safe before leaving.

9. Debrief and Documentation

   • Review the burn with the team and note any observations, anomalies, or safety concerns.

Important: Do not move or interact with sensors during a Fire Test. Physical interference can cause sensor errors and invalidate test results.

4. Monitor Fire Alerts

During a fire test, it is important to monitor alert activity when validation is required. Dryad provides multiple alert types, which can be accessed and managed through the Alert Center, API integrations, or via email and SMS notifications.

Full details of alerts can be found in our article Understanding System Logs During Sensor Smoke and Fire Tests. 

Important: By design, Silvanet sensors require 3–5 minutes of continuous exposure to wildfire gases before triggering a fire alert. During this time, the sensor performs rapid gas scans and sends data to the Silvanet Cloud, which analyzes the data to confirm whether a real wildfire event has occurred. This process ensures alert accuracy and helps filter out false positives that could otherwise occur from other gases present in the air..

Important: Running tests too close together can reduce sensor accuracy and may lead to false or missed detections. We recommend waiting at least 1 hour before conducting another test in the same location and setup, with ideal practice being a 24-hour interval between tests.