A method of validating smoke detection in a smoke detection system of a wind turbine, comprising: receiving an indication of smoke detection; determining a first temperature of a temperature sensor; and beginning a heat validation operation, characterized in that the heat validation operation comprising: initiating a timer after determining the first temperature; performing the following before the timer has expired: determining whether a smoke level is above a trigger level; and determining if a current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature; and determining an occurrence of pollution if the current temperature of the temperature sensor does not exceed the first temperature by the predefined amount and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level; wherein, if the current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature, and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level, the heat validation operation further comprises performing at least one of tripping a switchgear and activating an alarm. receiving an indication of smoke detection; determining a first temperature of a temperature sensor; and beginning a heat validation operation, characterized in that the heat validation operation comprising: initiating a timer after determining the first temperature; performing the following before the timer has expired: determining whether a smoke level is above a trigger level; and determining if a current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature; and determining an occurrence of pollution if the current temperature of the temperature sensor does not exceed the first temperature by the predefined amount and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level; wherein, if the current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature, and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level, the heat validation operation further comprises performing at least one of tripping a switchgear and activating an alarm. initiating a timer after determining the first temperature; performing the following before the timer has expired: determining whether a smoke level is above a trigger level; and determining if a current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature; and determining an occurrence of pollution if the current temperature of the temperature sensor does not exceed the first temperature by the predefined amount and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level; determining whether a smoke level is above a trigger level; and determining if a current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature; and determining an occurrence of pollution if the current temperature of the temperature sensor does not exceed the first temperature by the predefined amount and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level; wherein, if the current temperature of the temperature sensor has increased a predefined amount relative to the first temperature, and if the smoke level exceeds the trigger level, the heat validation operation further comprises performing at least one of tripping a switchgear and activating an alarm. <EOS>