07.07.2025
Launch of the anti-fire campaign in the Gard: SDIS 30 and Exavision join forces for intelligent forest surveillance
As hot weather intensifies and the risk of wildfire increases in the south of France, the SDIS du Gard (30) kicked off its annual forest fire prevention campaign on Thursday July 3. The launch, which took place atop the Mont Bouquet lookout, also featured the presentation of NEMOSYS FIRE, an innovative detection solution developed by Exavision, a subsidiary of Ineo Defense, itself part of Equans France. A first in France, this cutting-edge technology, combining thermal sensors, artificial intelligence and 3D mapping, heralds a new era in the fight against fire outbreaks and the preservation of natural areas.
Faced with the increasing number of forest fires, and with the aim of using human resources differently, Exavision has developed NEMOSYS FIRE, an intelligent surveillance system based on the installation of a network of thermal cameras and high-resolution sensors throughout the Gard region. Deployed by SDIS 30 with support from the Green Fund and the French Ministry of Agriculture, the system is based on thermal detection technologycoupled with artificial intelligence. It can detect in real time, day and night, the first signs of a fire outbreak: abnormal temperature variations, smoke, or localized heat.
Each camera covers a 15 km radius and is designed to detect a fire in less than 3 minutes, i.e. an average of 7 to 8 minutes less than the current detection time (which varies greatly depending on the time of day and night, and on the area of the département). The solution also integrates a digital twin of the territory. This 3D model, fed by IGN data and aerial overflights, will enable operators to pinpoint the exact location of potential outbreaks so as to intervene as quickly as possible.
Unprecedented territorial coverage thanks to high points and AI
SDIS 30 will capitalize on the former network of watchtowers to install cameras at strategic high points. By 2027, 10 to 12 observation posts will be equipped, enabling 24/7 surveillance, including in isolated or desert areas. The first Exavision-enhanced lookouts went into action at the beginning of July, ushering in a new era in fire-fighting
Algorithms developed locally by Exavision filter out false alarms such as dust or fog, and automatically trigger an alarm by zooming in on the suspect area. Thanks to a high-speed, low-latency connection, high-quality images are transmitted instantly to SDIS operators as soon as an alert is detected.
They can then take control of the camera, confirm the presence of a fire, assess its nature and determine the most appropriate extinguishing means (aircraft, water bombers, trucks...), then organize the intervention. This summer will also be an opportunity for artificial intelligence to refine its performance, by continuing to collect field data to increase detection accuracy.
A responsible and sustainable approach
Materially, the system is based on proven technology from the military sector, with robust equipment designed to last over 10 years. The maintenance model provides for continuous updating of AI algorithms to refine detection, while ensuring energy and IT frugality.
“ With NEMOSYS, we are putting technology at the service of prevention, at a time when fire risk is becoming a structural threat to our territories. This solution embodies not only our long-standing commitment to civil security, but also our ability, as a French SME, to innovate and anticipate major climatic challenges. The integration of artificial intelligence, the digital twin and thermal detection marks a turning point: we're no longer just reacting, we're anticipating. This is the spirit of our collaboration with the SDIS du Gard, whom we would like to thank for their confidence. ”
“ With this system, we are taking a step forward in fire prevention and control. It's a major step forward in preserving Gard's unique natural heritage. The precision and optical quality of the cameras enable us to anticipate and intervene more effectively, while considerably reducing the risks for our firefighters. This promising technology is a game-changer for everyone's safety, and fits in perfectly with the national strategy for fighting forest fires: early detection and massive attack of incipient fires. ”
