Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for identifying a hot bearing. A processor may be configured for receiving a plurality of infrared (IR) signals emitted by a bearing as the bearing passes through a view window being monitored by one or more IR sensing elements positioned to receive IR radiation emitted from a target area of the bearing. The processor may extract IR data from IR signals emitted from an area within the target area of the bearing defined by a narrow window extending along a longitudinal axis for a length corresponding to substantially an entire length of the bearing. The processor may also establish a characteristic thermal profile from the extracted IR data, the characteristic thermal profile exhibiting identifiable boundaries of an area of interest on the bearing. The processor may compare temperatures of the bearing within the area of interest to a threshold, and produce an alarm signal if temperatures of the bearing within the area of interest exceed the threshold.