In the wake of devastating wildfires that have ravaged regions like Los Angeles, an innovative solution is emerging from Israel. An Israeli startup is working on an advanced fire defense system to combat wildfires, inspired by Israel’s renowned Iron Dome air defense system.
This new technology seeks to protect communities, homes, and valuable landscapes from the growing threat of wildfires.
FireDome, founded in 2024 by military veteran Gadi Benjamini (a veteran of the Israeli military) and Dr. Adi Naor Pomerantz, aims to develop a system designed to automatically detect and suppress fires before they cause major damage.
The company said that its system utilizes AI technology and defensive tactics similar to the Iron Dome, which is well-known for its ability to counter aerial threats, including missiles.
“The biggest challenge in the climate tech area are wildfires, and more specifically, the reaction to wildfires, because many companies focus on detection,” Benjamini told The Times of Israel.
He added, “What we develop is a system to enhance firefighters’ abilities and capabilities to address more fires simultaneously, like spot fires and embers, and to reach places where sometimes they can’t, due to different logistics constraints that they have.”
Benjamini likens the system’s role in wildfire defense to that of artillery support in warfare, which provides critical assistance to first responders.
“Similar to a war to fight wildfires, there are the firefighters, which are the infantry. There are airplanes, but darkness makes it harder to fly during the night and also during strong winds, and what we develop is a kind of artillery support,” Benjamini said.
Commenting on the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, Benjamini stated that it is too early to pinpoint the cause due to incomplete data. He pointed out that their solution is effective against strong winds and spot fires, which could have been crucial in creating barriers and protecting neighborhoods.
However, further research is needed to analyze the events, refine their product, and enhance its effectiveness in tackling such wildfires.
In December, FireDome secured US$3 million in seed funding, backed by climate-tech investors such as US-based Third Sphere and Israel’s Gravity. Other prominent backers include Germany’s Caesar Fund, Atooro Fund, and Vertex Ventures.
The startup also received a US$1.5 million grant from the Israeli Innovation Authority to strengthen its R&D efforts. Moreover, the startup is guided by Pinchas (Pini) Yungman, a key architect of the Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems.
About The System
The initial version of FireDome’s system is designed to protect approximately 100 acres of land, targeting small neighborhoods, vineyards, and hotels or resorts vulnerable to wildfires. The startup ultimately aims to expand coverage to areas up to a mile wide.
FireDome plans to begin testing the system in Israel by May, focusing on wildfire-prone areas like Jerusalem and the Carmel forest. The Israeli-based start-up plans to have a minimum viable product ready by late 2025 or early 2026.
Over the next 12 months, the company will utilize its funding to engage with potential customers and design partners while continuing to develop its technology.
Furthermore, by 2026, the Tel Aviv-based startup intends to launch pilot sites in the US to focus on regions around Los Angeles and San Francisco.
According to the company’s website, “FireDome’s innovative wildfire defense system utilizes a two-tiered approach.”
The system works by releasing eco-friendly fire-retardant capsules from a stationary mechanical launcher in response to alerts from fire departments. These capsules open upon impact and create a protective barrier that blocks the path of approaching wildfires.
A second layer of defense is provided by an AI-powered system, which leverages advanced computer vision and sensor technology to detect and extinguish spot fires caused by embers that bypass the primary barrier.
FireDome has yet to select a fire suppressant material but is in discussions with US and Israeli manufacturers. The company said that it will choose an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved extinguishing agent that is environmentally friendly and animal-friendly.
The company identifies potential markets in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, parts of Canada, Australia, and European countries, including Greece, Portugal, and Germany.
The company is gaining attention in Israeli media as fires continue to devastate Los Angeles, with some describing the destruction as resembling the aftermath of an atomic bomb.
Wildfires impose a significant financial burden on the US, with a preliminary estimate from AccuWeather placing the damage and economic losses from the latest fires between US$135 billion and US$150 billion.
In 2023, a US Congress Joint Economic Committee study found that wildfires cost the US anywhere from US$400 billion to US$900 billion annually. In the same year, wildfires claimed the lives of over 250 people and scorched approximately 988 million acres worldwide.
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