New wildfire detection technology could help save lives

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Early detection of wildfires is crucial to protecting life and property.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced earlier this year that it would deploy 200 Beta wildfire sensors to high-risk fire areas across the U.S. for testing and evaluation.

Eighty wildfire sensors and 16 wind sensors are slated to go to Hawaii at no cost to the state. This comes after the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii last summer.

“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 Hawaii recover, but also to help safeguard it against the tragic destruction of another such fire,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N Mayorkas.

According to the DHS, as wildfires become more frequent and severe, advanced sensors will allow first responders to suppress an initial blaze before it spreads and grant time needed for communities to make life-saving evacuation decisions.

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is using N5 sensors to sniff out fires as soon as they start. This is a 24-hour continuous sensing and alerting process.

As of now, Tennessee and Kentucky have not received any of the N5 sensors. Click here to see a map of states that have received them.

According to the N5 website, more than 185 fire alerts have been issued, 1,588 air quality alerts have been issued, and 1 million acres have been protected from the use of these sensors.

Given that this part of the country is no stranger to wildfires/brushfires, Tennesseans and Kentuckians could certainly benefit from having these sensors. Middle Tennessee averages between seven and 14 days with fire weather conditions present.

The likelihood of wildfires will likely increase across much of the country as temperatures continue to warm on average and droughts become more extreme.

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