As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires across Europe, regions are looking for practical solutions to protect forests, biodiversity and local communities. While many innovative technologies are being developed, a persistent challenge remains: how to move these solutions beyond research and testing environments and demonstrate their value under real operating conditions.
The I3-funded project IT4EST (Interregional Tech for forEst SusTainability) is addressing this challenge by helping regions deploy and validate innovative technologies for forest management.
Bringing together 14 partners from 13 European regions, including eight partners from less developed regions, the project covers the full forestry innovation value chain and focuses on preventing, mitigating and restoring forest damage caused by wildfires and insect infestations.
Innovation tested in real conditions
A recent demonstration organised in the Attica region of Greece provided a concrete example of this approach. At the Dionyssos Marble Quarries in Penteli, project partners showcased a range of technologies designed to strengthen wildfire prevention and response.
Photo credits: Konnektable Technologies
The demonstration brought together monitoring systems, sensors, digital platforms and fire management solutions, allowing stakeholders to observe how these technologies perform in operational conditions. Rather than relying solely on laboratory testing, IT4EST places innovation directly in environments that reflect the realities faced by forest managers and emergency services.
This practical validation process helps regions better understand the potential of emerging technologies while providing companies with valuable feedback to improve and scale up their solutions.
Demonstrating new approaches to wildfire suppression
Among the technologies showcased was the wildfire suppression solution developed by Bonpet Systems, a project partner and technology provider within IT4EST.
In the video below, the individuals wearing orange are using water to extinguish the fire, while those wearing dark clothing are using Bonpet Systems' fire suppression agent, currently being demonstrated and scaled up through the IT4EST project.
Video credits: Kyrillos Dimanopoulos
This environmentally friendly extinguishing liquid combines inorganic salts and organic compounds that absorb heat and release gases which suppress combustion. Unlike traditional water-based approaches, the solution is designed not only to extinguish flames but also to reduce the risk of reignition.
The Penteli demonstration enabled participants to compare the performance of the technology with conventional firefighting methods in a controlled operational setting. Such demonstrations are an important step towards building confidence among potential users and supporting the wider deployment of innovative wildfire management solutions.
Testing early wildfire detection technologies
Another technology demonstrated at the Dionyssos quarry was an advanced wildfire detection system developed by SEBELO, a Latvian company specialising in fire protection solutions. Designed to provide early warning of potential fires, the system uses sensors capable of detecting smoke and gases across large wilderness areas, helping emergency services respond more quickly.
For the demonstration, 12 sensors were deployed around the site and tested under challenging conditions, including dense marble dust, strong winds and open terrain. Despite these conditions, the system generated no false alarms before the burn test began.
Photo credits: SEBELO
When Bonpet Systems conducted a high-intensity fire test using large piles of dry branches, the sensors continued to operate reliably throughout the exercise and detected smoke immediately once suppression activities started. The demonstration confirmed the technology's ability to deliver accurate and reliable detection even in demanding real-world conditions.
The demonstration also featured the CONCORDE platform developed by Konnektable Technologies, a digital solution designed to support the coordination of wildfire response operations. The platform brings together incident commanders, dispatchers and field responders within a single operational environment, enabling them to share information and coordinate actions in real time.
During the field exercise, the platform demonstrated how AI-assisted workflows and live operational data can support faster and more informed decision-making. Combining data from multiple sources, including sensors and monitoring systems, CONCORDE helps emergency teams assess evolving situations, coordinate resources and manage response activities more effectively. The demonstration highlighted the role that digital tools can play in strengthening emergency preparedness and improving operational coordination during wildfire events.
Photo credits: Konnektable Technologies
From demonstration to deployment
The technologies tested in Penteli illustrate the broader objective of IT4EST: helping regions assess, validate and deploy innovative solutions that can strengthen forest resilience and improve wildfire management.
By bringing together technology providers, regional authorities and end users in real operational environments, the project helps reduce the gap between innovation and implementation. In doing so, IT4EST supports the development of interregional value chains in sustainable forest management while giving regions the confidence to invest in solutions that have already been tested under real-world conditions.
