In an effort to mitigate and manage wildfires in the Hawaiian islands, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) plan to deploy 80 wildfire sensors and 16 wind sensors throughout the state.
Earlier detection and alerts are the focus of the push, which was in turn driven by extreme weather events like those that struck Maui in August 2023. Advanced sensors will allow first responders to suppress initial sparks before they can become widespread blazes, and buy communities time.
While other states may eventually receive the sensors, Hawaii will be the first location to receive the Beta wildfire sensors developed by federal cooperation and coordination with small business N5 Sensors Inc. They can identify changes in conditions before wildfires even start, thanks to 24/7 sensing and alerting capabilities. They also continuously transmit information and send emails or text notifications to pre-programmed contacts when these elements are detected.
“In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that struck Maui last summer, the Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Homeland Security vowed not just to help Hawaiʻi recover, but also to help safeguard it against the tragic destruction of another such fire,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said. “We continue to execute on that promise. Today we are deploying dozens of state-of-the-art fire and wind sensors in strategic locations across the Hawaiian Islands to enable local officials and firefighters to quickly target an initial blaze and initiate evacuation procedures. As wildfires and other climate change-driven challenges increase in frequency and severity, our Department will continue working every day to develop innovative solutions and deploy them across the country for the safety and security of our communities.”
Sensor deployment follows a five-year effort to test and develop flood sensors. Some 200 initial Alpha phase pilot sensors were deployed last year, in collaboration with state and local stakeholders throughout the United States and Canada.
The upcoming beta deployment was hailed by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, M.D. and local authorities.
“We welcome this early alert system and are grateful to our federal partners for providing these wildfire and wind sensors to help keep our residents safe,” Green said. “We have seen how rapid and devastating wildfires can be. No community, in our islands or elsewhere, should ever have to experience so much suffering and loss. This technology will help save the lives of Hawaiʻi residents and visitors.”
In all, some 200 Beta wildfire sensors will eventually reach high-risk areas across the United States in 2024 for operational testing and evaluation. The first round of fire sensors will be given to Hawaii for free.