July 7, 2025
Launch of the wildfire prevention campaign in the Gard: SDIS 30 and Exavision join forces for smart forest monitoring
As heat waves intensify and the risk of wildfires rises in southern France, the Gard (30) Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) launched, on Thursday, July 3, kicked off its annual forest fire prevention campaign. The launch, which took place at the summit of the Mont Bouquet lookout tower, also marked the unveiling of the NEMOSYS FIRE system, an innovative detection solution developed by Exavision, a subsidiary of Ineo Defense, which is itself a division 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 wildfires and the preservation of natural areas.
In response to the increase in wildfires and with the goal of making more effective use of human resources, Exavision offers NEMOSYS FIRE, a smart monitoring system based on the installation of a network of thermal cameras and high-resolution sensors throughout the Gard department. Deployed by SDIS 30 with support from the Green Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture, the system relies on thermal detection technology combined with artificial intelligence. It enables the real-time detection, day or night, of the first signs of a fire: abnormal temperature variations, smoke, or localized heat.
Each camera covers a 15-km radius and is designed to detect a fire within 3 minutes—an average of 7 to 8 minutes faster than the current detection time (which varies significantly depending on whether it is day or night and the specific area within the department). The solution also incorporates a digital twin of the region. This 3D model, powered by data from the IGN and aerial surveys, will enable operators to precisely locate potential fire outbreaks so they can respond as quickly as possible.
Unprecedented territorial coverage thanks to high-altitude points and AI
The SDIS 30 will leverage the former network of watchtowers to install cameras at strategic high-altitude locations. By 2027, 10 to 12 observation posts will be equipped in this way, enabling 24/7 surveillance, even in remote or desert areas. The first observation posts enhanced by Exavision’s solution went into operation in early July, marking the start of a new era in firefighting
Algorithms developed in-house by Exavision filter out false alarms such as dust or fog and automatically trigger a verification process by zooming in on the suspicious area. Thanks to a low-latency broadband connection, high-quality images are instantly transmitted to SDIS operators as soon as an alert is detected.
Operators can then take control of the camera, confirm the presence of a fire, assess its nature, and determine the most appropriate firefighting resources (aircraft, water bombers, trucks, etc.), then organize the response. This summer will also provide an opportunity for artificial intelligence to refine its performance by continuing to collect field data to increase the accuracy of detections.
A Responsible and Sustainable Approach
From a hardware perspective, the system is based on proven technology derived from the military sector, featuring rugged equipment designed to last more than 10 years. The maintenance model provides for continuous updates to AI algorithms to refine detection, while ensuring energy and computational efficiency.
“ With NEMOSYS, we are harnessing technology for prevention, at a time when fire risk is becoming a structural threat to our regions. This solution embodies not only our long-standing commitment to public safety, but also our ability, as a French small and medium-sized enterprise, to innovate and anticipate major climate challenges. The integration of artificial intelligence, digital twins, and thermal detection marks a turning point: we are no longer content to simply react—we anticipate. This is the very spirit of our collaboration with the Gard Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), whom we thank for their trust. ”
“ With this system, we are taking a major step forward in fire prevention and firefighting. This is a major step forward in preserving the Gard’s unique natural heritage. The precision and optical quality of the cameras allow us to anticipate and respond more effectively, while significantly reducing the risks to our firefighters. This promising technology is a game-changer for everyone’s safety and fits perfectly into the national strategy for combating wildfires: early detection and a massive response to emerging fires. ”
