BC Government Invests in Lightning Reduction Technology in Hopes of Reducing Wildfires

Skyward Wildfire Technologies, based in Vancouver, received support from the Government of British Columbia to run a field trial of its wildfire-reduction technology. The system uses proprietary AI-enabled forecasting to predict areas at higher risk of wildfires caused by lightning strikes. It targets those areas and releases lightning reduction material into storm clouds. The material is described as silica and basalt fibre with an aluminum nano coating, intended to redistribute electric charge inside clouds rather than allow buildup that leads to lightning. The company could receive up to CAD 1 million for testing to determine effectiveness and compliance with provincial wildfire prevention standards. Activists raised environmental concerns, while the company says the materials are non-toxic and less harmful than fire retardants and wildfire smoke. Lightning strikes are identified as the leading cause of wildfires in British Columbia.

"Skyward Wildfire Technologies is a company that uses proprietary A.I.-enabled forecasting to predict areas that are at a higher risk of wildfires due to lightning strikes. They use this data to target certain areas and release lightning reduction material into storm clouds, which, in theory, will reduce the chance of lightning."

"According to Skyward Wildfire Technologies, the lightning reduction material is made up of "silica and basalt fibre with an aluminum nano coating." These materials allow electric charge to "redistribute quietly inside the cloud," rather than build up, which causes lightning strikes."

"Skyward Wildfire Technologies could receive up to CAD 1 million (~USD 725,000) from the Government of British Columbia to test its technology. The BC Government stated that these field tests will determine if this technology is effective and can meet the province's wildfire prevention standards. If successful, this technology could be implemented across Canada to help prevent wildfires."

"Environmental activists have questioned the environmental impact of these lightning reduction materials, but Skyward has stated that these materials are non-toxic. Skyward also argues that the lightning reduction material is more environmentally friendly than fighting fires with fire retardant, not to mention the smoke that gets released from these fires."

Read at SnowBrains