Understanding Site Priority Areas and Sensor Density Planning

Effective site planning begins with understanding which areas are most important to protect and how to distribute sensors to ensure reliable wildfire detection across the landscape.

What Are Site Priority Areas?

Site priority areas are locations within your deployment zone that require the highest level of monitoring. These are typically regions where the risk of ignition, impact of fire, or value of assets is greatest.

When identifying priority areas, consider:

• High-risk zones: Areas with a history of wildfires or conditions that promote fire spread (e.g., dry slopes or prevailing wind corridors).

• Critical assets: Infrastructure, communities, or natural resources you want to protect, such as powerlines, buildings, or conservation areas.

• Human-use areas: Trails, campsites, or roads where activity increases the likelihood of ignition.

• Access limitations: Remote or rugged terrain where fires are difficult to reach and respond to quickly.

Clearly defining these zones ensures your sensor network provides early detection where it matters most.

Planning Sensor Density

Once priority areas are identified, plan your sensor density, the number of sensors per area, to achieve effective coverage and detection reliability.

General guidelines:

• High-priority or high-risk areas: Use a higher sensor density for faster detection and more localized coverage.

• Moderate-risk areas: Maintain a balanced density to provide coverage across the site while optimizing resources.

• Perimeter or buffer zones: A lower density may be sufficient, especially if used to monitor for approaching threats.

Balancing Coverage and Connectivity

When adjusting sensor density, ensure that coverage still supports strong mesh connectivity:

• Avoid isolated sensors that fall outside of range from nearby devices.

• Use the Silvanet Planning Tool to simulate network coverage and identify gaps.

• Adjust gateway placement and sensor spacing as needed to maintain consistent communication.

Best Practices for Sensor Density Planning

✅ Start with priority mapping: Use available data, historical fire maps, and local knowledge to mark critical zones.
✅ Validate in the field: When possible, confirm vegetation density and line-of-sight conditions to refine your plan.
✅ Use a layered approach: Combine high-density detection near key assets with broader perimeter coverage.
✅ Plan for expansion: Leave room in your design to add sensors as new risk areas or assets are identified.

Note: Sensor density directly impacts detection time and network resilience. By aligning sensor placement with site priorities, you create a balanced network that maximizes protection and performance.