Pat McEntee Introduces Know-Wildfire Inc.'s Early Wildfire Detection System
Our speaker for the November 14th meeting was Pat McEntee, a co-founder (along with Heather Dawson) of Know-Wildfire, Inc. Pat spent many years working in the internet, cloud computing, and resource venture worlds, including working at Oracle and as CEO of various companies. About 8 years ago he repurposed himself to working on the development of fire-wise communities. Pat believes that we are about 2 decades behind where we should be to be fully prepared for wildfires. Know-Wildfires (formerly No-Wildfires) is developing and implementing a system for the early detection of wildfires. Pat and Heather have spent their recent professional lives studying wildfires and have used that knowledge to help develop a very high-end system for early detection.
Between insurance payouts, diminished property values, and income loss, wildfires are an annual $893 billion problem. Extreme heat is driving the vast increase in wildfire devastation. The outside risk in a wildfire is extremely high. Personal safety is a serious concern. The lack of insurance can cause catastrophic personal loss to victims. Fire safety emergency systems are not perfect and haven’t yet adapted to the new normal. Sonoma County has its own challenges, including lots of hidden fuels in small valleys, 270-degree daily wind directions, wide humidity variation with extreme heat, and expanding ignition zones (grasslands, for example).
Know-Wildfire’s early detection system relies on a network of sensors using laser technology and working with satellite imagery and other environmental data that result in notifications of potential fires and fire risk. They are most effective when used in mesh network groups in high fire risk areas. The sensors continuously monitor the area and ensure rapid detection and precise alerts. The systems can be used by fire safety responders and private citizens who seek to protect themselves and their properties. They are extremely sensitive to environmental factors that result in fires, including smoke, burn piles and wind, and offer precise and nearly instantaneous alerts to allow quick responses. Pat gave us an example of a Glen Ellen detection network that uses 5 ChemNode nodes in a .33 square mile detection area. Every landowner can purchase a Know-Wildfire system and help protect their homes and property. Its community protection network now encompasses 100 square miles with 100 subscribers, 20 nodes, and several ignition zones.
Thank you, Pat, for the enlightening presentation. Pat and Heather are bringing much needed new technologies to combat the wildfires that cause such adverse impacts in California and other states. Well done and keep up the good work!
Click HERE to view the recording of Pat's presentation.
