An Israeli startup named FireDome has developed an innovative wildfire defense system inspired by the country's renowned Iron Dome missile defense technology. 

Established in 2024 by CEO Gadi Benjamini and Dr. Adi Naor Pomerantz, FireDome aims to enhance firefighting capabilities by rapidly responding to wildfires.

Key Features of the FireDome System:

Autonomous Operation: The system is designed to function autonomously, detecting and responding to wildfires without direct human intervention.

Eco-Friendly Fire Retardant: FireDome utilizes capsules filled with environmentally friendly fire retardant. These capsules are launched to create protective barriers against approaching fires.

AI-Powered Detection: The system leverages artificial intelligence to detect spot fires caused by wind-blown embers and suppresses them promptly, preventing the spread of wildfires.

Mechanical Launchers: The system employs mechanical launchers that project the fire-retardant capsules to distances of about a quarter mile, allowing for rapid deployment over large areas.

Deployment Plans:

Initial Testing in Israel: FireDome plans to conduct its first system tests in Israel around May 2025. The tests will focus on areas prone to wildfires, such as the forests near Jerusalem and the Carmel region.

Expansion to the United States: In 2026, the company aims to initiate pilot programs in the United States, particularly in wildfire-prone regions like Los Angeles and San Francisco. By integrating advanced defense strategies with artificial intelligence, FireDome seeks to provide a proactive solution to the growing threat of wildfires, enhancing the capabilities of traditional firefighting methods.

For a visual overview of FireDome's technology and its potential applications, you can watch the following video:

The issue isn’t whether these folks are worth their salaries; they all appear well-qualified and professional. The issue is if these really are the top people in the world, and this is the result of their planning, practising and preparing for this type of disaster, we had better figure out how to put out this fire first.

Less talking, more doing.

The clothespins are a reference to the TV-making of David Muir of ABC while reporting on the wildfires in and around Pacific Palisades.
It’s the image business, and a clothespin to make whatever you are wearing appear better is no disqualification for authenticity.

I would say just the opposite. It’s good when TV humbles those who dwell in adoration.

The maintenance and management of Los Angeles' water supply involve several key individuals leading various agencies:

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)

General Manager and Chief Engineer: As of May 2024, Janisse Quiñones is the General Manager and Chief Engineer of LADWP.She has over 25 years of leadership experience in the utility sector, having previously held positions at Pacific Gas and Electric.

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD)

Interim General Manager: Deven Upadhyay currently serves as the Interim General Manager of MWD.He was appointed following the administrative leave of the previous General Manager, Adel Hagekhalil, who was placed on leave in June 2024 amid an ongoing investigation into harassment allegations and creating a hostile work environment.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW)

Director: Mark Pestrella serves as the Director of LACDPW.He oversees the department's efforts in managing stormwater systems, groundwater recharge projects, and other public infrastructure within Los Angeles County.

California State Water Resources Control Board

Chair: E. Joaquin Esquivel serves as the State Water Resources Control Board Chair. The board regulates water quality and allocation across the state, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and resource management policies.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Commissioner: Camille Calimlim Touton serves as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner. The bureau oversees major water infrastructure projects affecting California's water supply, including managing dams and reservoirs.

Over the past five decades, California has experienced a significant escalation in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, influenced by climatic changes, land management practices, and expanding human development.

Since the 1980s, the number of large wildfires (exceeding 1,000 acres) has risen across nearly all ecoregions in California. This uptick is particularly notable in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades regions.

The annual area affected by wildfires has expanded markedly. In 2020, wildfires burned a record 4.2 million acres, surpassing previous highs and accounting for over 4% of California's land area.

The intensity of wildfires, measured by overstory tree mortality and soil alteration, has increased. This trend is evident in the growing extent of high-severity burns, especially in forested areas.

Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts have dried vegetation, creating more combustible conditions. The period between September 2019 and August 2021 ranked as the third-warmest on record in California, with temperatures approximately 2.9°F (1.6°C) above average.

Decades of fire suppression have led to the accumulation of dense vegetation, providing ample fuel for fires. 

Many wildfires are human-induced, including those caused by equipment use, arson, and power line failures. The increasing development near wildland areas has elevated both the occurrence and effect of fires.

The state has seen a surge in "mega-fires," defined by their rapid spread and extensive damage. Between 2000 and 2020, the area burned increased from 3% to 11% of the state's land surface.

The financial burden of wildfires has escalated, with suppression costs routinely exceeding $1 billion annually. The 2020 fire season alone resulted in over $30 billion in damages.

Fighting wildfires requires specialised chemicals and equipment to contain and extinguish fires, protect firefighters, and manage the challenging conditions. Here are some of the critical tools and chemicals:

 Chemicals

1. Fire Retardants: Chemicals like Phos-Chek are dropped from planes and helicopters to slow the fire's spread. They create a fire-resistant barrier by coating vegetation, which reduces flammability and limits the fire’s fuel source.

2. Water Enhancers: Gels like FireIce or Thermo-Gel can be mixed with water to increase their ability to cling to surfaces. This creates a protective layer on structures or vegetation that resists ignition.

3. Foams: Firefighting foams, such as Class A Foam, are added to water and work by increasing its surface tension, helping it penetrate burning materials more effectively. They also cool the fire and limit the oxygen supply to the flames.

4. Suppressants: Short-term suppressants, such as wetting agents and Class A foams, help reduce the intensity of flames, giving firefighters more time to control the fire's spread.

 Equipment

1. Fire Engines: Specially designed engines for wildfire management come equipped with off-road capabilities and high-clearance suspension. They have pumps, hoses, tanks carrying water and other firefighting agents.

2. Helicopters and Air Tankers: Helicopters are used for water drops or deploying fire retardants, while larger air tankers can carry thousands of gallons of retardant or water for aerial drops over large areas.

3. Hand Tools: Tools like Pulaskis, which combine an ax and a hoe, and McLeods, a rake-hoe hybrid, are used to dig fire lines, removing vegetation down to the bare soil, to prevent the fire from spreading.

4. Chainsaws and Bulldozers: These are used to cut down trees, clear vegetation, and create firebreaks. Bulldozers are especially helpful in creating broad fire lines to block the fire’s path.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wildland firefighters wear specialised PPE, including flame-resistant clothing, helmets, goggles, and gloves, and carry fire shelters for emergency protection.

6. Fire Shelters: These emergency devices, made from layers of aluminium foil and silica, can be deployed in extreme situations to reflect heat and create an insulating layer around firefighters.

7. Drones: Equipped with thermal imaging cameras, drones are increasingly used to survey wildfires, track their progress, and locate hotspots, especially in rugged or remote areas with limited visibility.

FireIce is produced by GelTech Solutions, an innovative technology company specialising in eco-friendly fire prevention and suppression products. 

Thermo-Gel is manufactured by Thermo Technologies, LLC, a company dedicated to developing cost-effective products to combat fire-related losses.  

Several manufacturers produce Class A foam concentrates, essential in combating fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, and vegetation. Notable producers include:

- Perimeter Solutions: Offers a range of Class A foam concentrates under the PHOS-CHEK® brand, designed to enhance water's effectiveness in firefighting. 

- Chemguard: Provides Class A foam concentrates that combine foaming and wetting agents, suitable for various firefighting applications. 

- National Foam: Produces environmentally responsible Class A foam concentrates like KnockDown® and Responder®, both designed for effective fire suppression. 

- ANSUL: Offers Class A foam agents formulated to reduce water's surface tension, providing superior wetting and penetrating characteristics for firefighting. 

- Fomtec: Develops and distributes firefighting foams, including Class A foam concentrates, suitable for various fire protection needs. 

These manufacturers provide various Class A foam products tailored to different firefighting scenarios, effectively suppressing fires involving common combustible materials.

Among the companies mentioned, Perimeter Solutions is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PRM. 

GelTech Solutions, the manufacturer of FireIce, is also publicly traded on the OTCQB Exchange under the ticker symbol GLTC. 

The other companies—Chemguard, National Foam, ANSUL, and Fomtec—are privately held and not listed on public stock exchanges.

Several manufacturers produce Pulaski and McLeod tools, which are essential in firefighting and land management. Notable producers include:

Pulaski Tools:

- Council Tool: A renowned American manufacturer offering high-quality Pulaski axes. 

- Warwood Tool: Produces Pulaski axes adhering to traditional specifications and is suitable for chopping and digging tasks. 

- Barebones Living: Offers Pulaski axes designed for functionality and aesthetic appeal. 

McLeod Tools:

- Council Tool: Manufactures McLeod tools with high-carbon steel blades and durable handles, meeting U.S. Forest Service specifications. 

- Nupla: Provides McLeod fire tools featuring flame-resistant handles and robust construction. 

- Flamefighter: Offers McLeod tools with fiberglass handles, designed for wildland firefighting applications. 

Council Tool and Nupla are privately held and not publicly traded among the mentioned companies. Warwood Tool, Barebones Living, and Flamefighter are privately owned and not listed on public stock exchanges. Therefore, none of these companies are publicly traded.