Tenerife Launches AI-Powered Smart Network to Modernize Forest Fire Surveillance

Tenerife has taken a major step toward modernizing its forest surveillance with the launch of the "Los Topos" smart node in Vilaflor. According to the Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo de Tenerife), this project marks the start of a technological shift in how the island manages emergencies. The goal is to cover 90% of Tenerife’s forest area using a network of towers equipped with high-resolution thermal and optical sensors.

The system is already active in its first phase, providing 24/7 monitoring. This overcomes the limitations of traditional human surveillance, which relied on physical shifts and responding to public reports. The network, which will soon expand to areas like Arguazo, El Gaitero, and San Juan de la Rambla, uses artificial intelligence to filter out false alarms and identify heat anomalies. Officials expect the system to be fully operational by 2027, significantly boosting the response capabilities of the island’s emergency coordination center, Cecopin.

The Cabildo emphasizes that this technology is designed to assist, not replace, specialized personnel. The towers are built to withstand extreme weather, including winds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, and feature autonomous solar power and backup communication systems. This reliability is vital, as the system’s primary goal is to reduce response times—a critical factor in stopping small fires before they become major wildfires.

This deployment is part of a wider strategy to digitize emergency services by combining ground observation with predictive data models, and eventually, satellite and aerial information. However, the island’s innovation department maintains a pragmatic view: while technology improves decision-making, it cannot eliminate the risk of fire or replace the expertise of firefighting teams.

The shift toward this digital model has sparked debate regarding the future of surveillance staff, whose local knowledge and coordination skills have been essential for decades. As the Cabildo continues to build and upgrade these towers, the challenge will be to integrate these new digital tools while preserving the invaluable experience of the professionals who have long protected Tenerife’s forests.