Xprize Introduces $11-Million Competition to Revolutionize Global Wildfire Management

By: Sheldon Oswald

Xprize, a nonprofit renowned for organizing global competitions to foster technological advancement, has announced an $11-million competition aimed at revolutionizing wildfire detection and suppression methods. This initiative is particularly significant due to the escalating frequency, intensity, and potential devastation of wildfires, driven by factors such as global warming and changes in land use.

In recent years, wildfires have inflicted significant harm, affecting millions of individuals worldwide and causing extensive economic damages. Recognizing the urgent need for innovative solutions, Xprize is challenging engineering teams worldwide to develop two distinct systems over a four-year period. These systems are expected to autonomously suppress fires within minutes of detection and rapidly identify all wildfires across vast areas, transmitting critical data to authorities promptly.

The current landscape of firefighting technology has remained largely unchanged for decades, relying on conventional tools and methods such as axes, bulldozers, and firefighting aircraft. While recent advancements in GPS, satellite imaging, and drone technology have enhanced fire detection and prediction capabilities, there is a pressing need for transformative technologies to address the growing threat of extreme wildfires.

U.S. Fire Administrator Lori Moore-Merrell emphasizes the unsustainable nature of current suppression efforts and underscores the importance of shifting towards preventative measures. New technologies emerging from the Xprize competition have the potential to alleviate strain on firefighting personnel and minimize their exposure to hazardous conditions.

Competing teams are tasked with developing autonomous suppression systems capable of swiftly identifying and extinguishing high-risk fires in challenging terrain, while the space-based detection system must accurately monitor wildfires across vast landscapes, minimizing false positives.

Funding for the competition is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Pacific Gas and Electric, with additional sponsorship from Lockheed Martin. Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus VR and Anduril Industries, has already committed to participating, signaling early interest and engagement in the competition.