Taking inspiration from the Iron Dome air defense system that intercepts, targets and destroys incoming rockets to Israel, the newly developed FireDome aims to protect communities from wildfire attack by detecting, targeting and suppressing spot fires before they grow big.
FireDome recently demonstrated its system that features a large AI powered mechanical launcher that rapidly rotates, swivels and adjusts to release retardant or water capsules to suppress fire or create a firebreak.
The launcher has a range of 1000 ft (300m) but FireDome is working on extending that range. The launcher can hold 3000 capsules, each with a capacity of 10 gallons (37 litres), and can reload and fire every 5 seconds.
The AI can detect the intrusion of people, animals, cars or aircraft, and can actively monitor a moving fire front. The company says that tests under more challenging conditions are ongoing, including under varied wind conditions which have the potential to blow any capsule off course.
So, how much does this cost to set it up in your community? The company told Wildfire Today: “Low six figures per year for an end to end service we provide that includes the system and additional fire mitigation tools.”
Advisor to FireDome and former U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, is quoted on the company website. “FireDome exemplifies the type of breakthrough innovation needed to alter our relationship with wildfire risk,” she said.
“The integration of automated systems with precision suppression technology creates an opportunity for technology to be considered as a variable in risk-based insurance models and in community resilience strategic plans.”
FireDome plans to begin US installations in 2026, partnering with property owners, vineyards, HOAs, resorts, utilities, insurers and the fire service in wildfire-prone regions. Beyond that it is looking to Canada, Europe and Australia as potential markets.
3 Comments
Ridiculous. A continuation of our military industrial complex fight against the wildfire problem we have created. How about you use those six figures of cost per year to reduce fuel loads around communities and use prescribed fire to maintain reduced fuel loads and restore ecosystem processes?
oh dear.
Technology isn’t the answer to every problem. Yes, there is a subset of our population that could be protected with this system. But for the rest of us, technology like this severs us from a process that is fundamental to life that we need to embrace in order to maintain the proper perspective about life on this planet.