Torch is building solar-powered outdoor sensors to help detect wildfires early, according to TechCrunch.
(Photo : by GUILLERMO SALGADO/AFP via Getty Images)
A volunteer helps fight a forest fire in El Patagual, Chile, on February 21, 2023. - The Chilean government announced on February 21 that there are four new worrying fires due to their proximity to populated areas in the south-central part of the country, where earlier this months the fire left 25 people dead and more than 7,000 homeless while destroying vast tracts of forest.
The Device
The device can be mounted onto a spike screwed into a tree, which can detect wildfires up to 10 acres early. These sensors are on the lookout for heat, light, and smoke.
When data hits a particular threshold, an alert will be sent to the owner's connected device. Currently, the on-board thermal camera is reserved for detection.
However, a future version could bring a live feed either on the device or through a connected camera. The limitations of the device are due in part to power demands since it is solar-powered; thus, implementing too many features can drain the battery fast.
The devices communicate via radio signals, which forms a kind of mesh network that allows users to add hundreds of them to a single WiFi gateway.
Torch is validating the technology for some time now, and it has been tested on prescribed fire burns across California.
You can now preorder the product today, ad the company expects to ship it in the first quarter of next year.
Also read: New Tech Could Do Wonders For Wildfire Control
The Threat of Wildfires Increase
The increase in wildfires has caused an increase in threats to public safety and the environment. In addition to the direct risk of loss of life and property, the smoke produced by these fires also leads to air pollution, which can have significant health impacts.
Torch has developed a solution to help reduce the risk of these fires and the threats they pose.
Climate Change and Wildfires
Climate change is contributing to the increase in wildfires. Warmer temperatures, longer fire seasons, and more frequent and intense droughts are all contributing to the growth of wildfires.
In addition, changes in land use, such as deforestation and development, can also increase the risk of wildfires. Torch is committed to helping reduce the risk of wildfires and the threats they pose by developing new technologies and solutions.
As the threat of wildfires increases, it is important to take preventative measures. This includes reducing flammable material around homes and businesses, creating fire breaks in wildland areas, and implementing prescribed burning practices.
Torch has developed a range of products that can help reduce the risk of wildfire damage by providing early detection systems as well as fuel reduction solutions such as fire retardants and flame-resistant coatings for structures.
In addition to physical prevention methods, individuals should also be aware of their own behavior when outdoors or camping in order to minimize the chances of starting a wildfire accidentally through human activity such as unattended campfires or fireworks use.
It is also important for people living near high-risk areas to stay informed about local regulations regarding outdoor activities during times with increased risk from fires due extreme weather conditions like heat waves or droughts which may increase the chance for accidental starts even further .
Related article: Insect Outbreaks Reduce Severity Of Wildfire: Study
