Sensor Readings & Environmental Telemetry
CO₂ Combustion Gases & Telemetry
Real-time NDIR gas telemetry for early wildfire ignition and proximity detection.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) is the major gaseous byproduct of complete and incomplete biomass combustion. While ambient clean outdoor air hovers around 415 – 425 ppm, ground-level wildfire plumes drive local concentrations above 600 – 1,200+ ppm.
By measuring CO₂ in tandem with optical PM2.5, Fire Aware distinguishes between regional dust/fog events and active wildfire combustion plumes. A simultaneous spike in both PM2.5 and CO₂ provides definitive confirmation of active biomass combustion.
NDIR Optical Gas Sensing
Fire Aware nodes utilize Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) spectroscopic sensors. The sensor pulses an infrared light beam through a sample chamber; CO₂ molecules absorb infrared energy specifically at the 4.26 µm wavelength, allowing precision ppm quantification.
Flaming vs. Smoldering Ratios
Flaming forest crown fires produce high ratios of CO₂ relative to CO (Modified Combustion Efficiency > 0.90). Smoldering duff, peat, and organic ground fuels produce elevated carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Indoor Air Balancing
When sealing homes against outdoor wildfire smoke, indoor CO₂ levels can quickly rise above 1,000 – 1,500 ppm due to human respiration, leading to headaches and fatigue. Monitor indoor CO₂ alongside PM2.5 to time brief filtration-assisted air exchanges.