~ Summary ~
Thermography Services (UK) Ltd, in collaboration with Drone Media Imaging, conducted a thermal imaging study to investigate underground fire risks at an old council landfill site. Using drone-mounted thermal cameras, we identified heat anomalies, monitored temperature trends, and provided detailed risk assessments for local authorities. Our work enabled environmental teams to implement preventative fire measures and ensure compliance with safety regulations. The study demonstrated the power of drone thermography in assessing landfill conditions and supporting fire prevention strategies.
Introduction
Old landfill sites pose serious environmental and safety risks, particularly the potential for underground fires caused by decomposing waste generating heat and methane pockets igniting below the surface. In response to concerns raised by local authorities, in collaboration with Drone Media Imaging, we were commissioned to conduct a comprehensive thermal imaging study to determine whether an underground fire was active at a former council waste landfill site.
Using drone-mounted thermal cameras, we provided non-invasive, high-resolution thermal data, allowing for a detailed assessment of heat anomalies that could indicate subterranean combustion. The extensive thermal imaging project enabled local councils and environmental agencies to assess risk levels and implement proactive fire prevention strategies.


The Objective
The primary objective of this project was to use advanced thermal imaging to:
- Detect unusual heat signatures indicative of underground fires.
- Map temperature fluctuations over time to assess risk levels.
- Provide evidence-based reports for environmental and safety compliance.
Traditional methods of assessing landfill fires, such as surface temperature measurements and gas monitoring, have limitations. Thermal drone inspections offer a far more effective solution, delivering precise heat mapping across large areas with real-time aerial perspectives.
Goals
Our goals were structured to provide a comprehensive risk assessment while minimising environmental disruption:
- Non-Invasive Investigation: Deploy drone thermal imaging to conduct aerial surveys without disturbing the landfill surface.
- Early Detection of Subsurface Heat Anomalies: Identify potential underground combustion before it escalates into a full-scale fire.
- Long-Term Temperature Trend Analysis: Conduct repeat inspections over a year to track heat activity and determine if temperature levels were rising or stabilising.
- Environmental & Regulatory Compliance: Support local authorities and waste management agencies in meeting safety and environmental regulations.
- Risk Mitigation & Fire Prevention Planning: Provide actionable insights to help prevent dangerous underground fires and improve landfill site management strategies.
Results Over the Year of Thermal Imaging Study
1. Initial Thermal Survey & Baseline Analysis
- The first drone thermal inspection mapped surface temperatures across the landfill site, identifying several heat anomalies that required further investigation.
- Thermal imaging detected localised hotspots in specific areas, though their causes were initially unclear.
2. Repeat Inspections & Temperature Tracking
- Over a conducted a numbe thermal surveys, comparing temperature changes to ambient.
- Some anomalies remained stable, suggesting natural heat from decomposing waste, while others fluctuated, requiring closer scrutiny.
- Other thirdparty Gas monitoring was conducted in collaboration with environmental teams to cross-check findings with methane emissions and subsurface conditions.
3. Identifying Underground Fire Risks
- Several persistent heat anomalies were flagged as potential underground combustion zones due to sustained elevated temperatures despite external cooling factors.
- Our thermal analysis helped confirm areas of concern for fire risk, leading to further ground investigations by environmental teams.
4. Supporting Long-Term Risk Mitigation
- By providing high-accuracy thermal reports, we enabled local councils to:
- Implement preventative landfill fire measures.
- Adjust methane gas extraction systems to reduce potential ignition risks.
- Improve landfill capping and surface management techniques.
- The final reports and temperature trend analysis confirmed that no large-scale underground fire was present, but preventative actions were advised in key areas showing thermal anomalies.
This thermal imaging investigation demonstrated the effectiveness of drone-based environmental thermography in assessing potential underground fires at landfill sites. By conducting the thermal survey, we helped local authorities make informed, data-driven decisions, ensuring that fire prevention strategies were proactively implemented. By integrating thermal drone technology with environmental monitoring, we provided critical insights into landfill site conditions, ensuring both safety and regulatory compliance.