147 AI-Powered Cameras Help Protect Forests in Russia's Moscow Region
The Moscow Region has become Russia's fastest at extinguishing wildfires, with every forest fire brought under control within the first 24 hours. Officials attribute much of that progress to an AI-powered video monitoring system.
A network of 147 AI-equipped cameras now detects 41% of all forest fires in the region. The system can distinguish wildfire smoke from smoke produced by chimneys and other harmless sources, reducing false alarms by 90%. Human activity remains the leading cause of wildfires, including discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, and grass burning. Violations of fire safety regulations carry fines ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 rubles (about $190-$380).
In April 2025, the region merged its two forestry agencies into a single organization, Mosoblles. The unified agency now manages more than 2,100 employees and approximately 1,000 pieces of equipment. In 2026, forest restoration is planned across 16,100 hectares, an increase of 3,000 hectares compared with two years earlier.
