SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING THE INCIDENCE OF FOREST FIRES OVER LARGE AREAS

• US 20090266565A1
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Srirangapatnam A. Char
• Original Assignee: Srirangapatnam A. Char
• Inventors: Char, Srirangapatnam A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,776,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/45
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/0271 Detection of area conflagration fires fire alarms for forest fires G08B17/005
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/0278 by creating zones devoid of flammable material

Abstract

A wildfire prevention system is described. The system includes a data measurement station for measuring environmental factors relevant for determining the likelihood of a wildfire in a prescribed area, a control station configured to receive data measured by the data measurement station and to determine the likelihood of a wildfire by comparison of the data received with predetermined data values representing likelihood of a wildfire, the predetermined data values including data values for each of the environmental factors individually and in combination with other environmental factors, and a moisture induction system including a water reservoir, configured for induction of moisture in the prescribed area on activation by the control station on the determination of the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area. A method of preventing a wildfire is also described.

Claims

1. A wildfire prevention system comprising:

a data measurement station for measuring environmental factors relevant for determining the likelihood of a wildfire in a prescribed area;

a control station configured to receive data measured by the data measurement station and to determine the likelihood of a wildfire by comparison of the data received with predetermined data values representing likelihood of a wildfire, the predetermined data values including data values for each of the environmental factors individually and in combination with other environmental factors; and

a moisture induction system including a water reservoir, configured for induction of moisture in the prescribed area on activation by the control station on the determination of the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area.

2. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the environmental factors relevant for determining the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area include any one of soil moisture, relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, or wind direction alone or in combination with other factors.

3. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control station is configured to stop the induction of moisture in the prescribed area when the environmental factors measured by the data measurement station no longer indicate the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area.

4. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moisture induction system is configured for induction of moisture in the prescribed area for a predetermined period of time.

5. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moisture induction system comprises of a plurality of sprinklers connected to the water reservoir.

6. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water reservoir is any natural body including rivers, lakes or oceans.

7. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water reservoir is a man made water tank configured to receive water from any natural reservoirs including rivers, oceans, dams or lakes or recycled water from urban areas.

8. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising of a salt removal system configured to remove salt from sea water.

9. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control station is placed outside the prescribed area.

10. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control station is integrated with the data measurement station and placed in the prescribed area.

11. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wildfire prevention system comprises of surface drains to collect excess moisture induced by the moisture induction system, the surface drains configured to send the excess moisture back to the water reservoir.

12. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fire barrier.

13. A wildfire prevention system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fire barrier is any one of wind deflector, water barrier or clay barrier used alone or in combination with another.

14. A wildfire prevention system comprising:

a moisture induction system configured for induction of moisture in a prescribed area comprising

a data measurement station for measuring environmental factors relevant for determining the likelihood of a wildfire in a prescribed area;

a control station configured to receive data measured by the data measurement station and to determine the likelihood of a wildfire by comparison of the data received with predetermined data values representing likelihood of a wildfire, the predetermined data values including data values for each of the environmental factors individually and in combination with other environmental factors; and

a sprinkler system connected to water reservoir;

the sprinkler system configured to be activated by the control station on the determination of the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area,

the data measurement station and the control station are integrally formed with the sprinkler system and placed in the prescribed area; and

surface drains to collect excess moisture induced by the moisture induction system, the surface drains configured to send the excess moisture back to the water reservoir.

15. A method of preventing a wildfire in a prescribed area comprising:

maintaining moisture level of the prescribed area at a predetermined level, the method comprising

measuring environmental factors relevant for determining the likelihood of a wildfire in a prescribed area;

determining the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area, the method including comparing the data measured with predetermined data values representing likelihood of a wildfire, the predetermined data values including data values for each of the environmental factors individually and in combination with other environmental factors; and

introducing into the prescribed area moisture when the environmental conditions measured for the prescribed area indicate the likelihood of a wildfire in the prescribed area.

16. A method of preventing a wildfire as claimed in claim 15, wherein the excess moisture induced is collected in surface drains and is sent back to the water reservoir.

17. A method of preventing a wildfire as claimed in claim 15, wherein moisture is induced into the prescribed area when the soil moisture is below 15%.

18. A method of preventing a wildfire as claimed in claim 15, wherein moisture is induced into the prescribed area when the relative humidity is below 15%.

19. A method of preventing a wildfire as claimed in claim 15, wherein moisture is induced into the prescribed area when the temperature is above 85°

F.