Combative Measures
Combative measures for battling wildfires include a range of strategies and techniques designed to contain, control, and extinguish fires in forested and wildland areas. These are aimed at minimizing the impact of wildfires on both the environment and public safety.
Types of Combative Measures:
Specialized Technologies
Specialized technologies for firefighting are products made specifically to carry out a certain fire management or fighting function. This subcategory of products can be anything, ranging from jet engines to automated water suppression systems. Specialized technologies combine innovation with science and engineering to create one of a kind solutions for specific problems.
Human Effort
We recognize that human effort in combating wildfires is a proven and effective technique. Any "direct" human interaction with fire is what we classify as human effort. Examples include suppressing fires by relocating fuels and putting out fires with water or fire retardants. This type of measure has no specific product, but most of the products mentioned can be applied in a way that relates to its terms.
Combative Products:
Underground Automatic Water-Based Fire Suppression: Janus Fire Systems
Underground Water-Based Fire Suppression systems are installed underground and are activated when heat is detected. When activated, they release water or fire-retardant substances to control and extinguish fires. Generally, they are categorized into two products; sprinkler and water mist systems. Sprinkler systems include wet/dry pipe and deluge sprinklers, using water from a reliable source. When there’s a fire, the heat trigger on the sprinkler lets water flow out through several atmospheric pressures. Only the sprinklers near the fire will turn on. They operate by producing large droplets to suppress the fire by directly extinguishing the fire source. Water mist systems utilize stronger pressures and generate micron-sized droplets. Unlike sprinklers, water mist systems use less water and reduce water damage, but require inflated water pressures. They suppress fires mainly by depleting heat, oxygen, and radiation. Both systems are discreet/low profile, have a rapid response time, and automatic activation. Implementing underground water-based suppression systems in high-risk areas, such as urban environments, power plants, and forested zones, provides automatic and timely fire suppression.
Jet Powered Fire Fighting: Team Wildfire
Jet powered fire fighting is technology that utilizes off road vehicles with jet engines attached to generate high-power "rain" to help put out and contain wildfires. It works by rapidly cooling fire zones and depriving wildfires of necessary fuel and oxygen. It does this by shooting out strong wind and water towards flames. This type of technology has many applications with fighting wildfires, such as being able to directly alter the way fire spreads.
Thermite: Howe and Howe Technologies
Howe and Howe Technologies’ latest project is a new innovative robot designed to fight wildfires without putting humans at risk, offering a safer alternative to combating wildfires firsthand. They are “the first commercial fire fighting robot sold in the U.S.” called Thermite®. Thermite® robotic firefighters work by allowing firefighters to see fires up close via cameras. Firefighters are then able to control and utilize the robots strength, versatility, and stamina, through remote belly-pack controllers. Thermite® robots are useful for dangerous, threatening environments and are being used to protect the lives of firefighters. Howe and Howe Technologies have four different models, called RS1, RS3, EV1, and EV2. Each one has specific features that vary between water discharge limit, length, width, height, weight, engine/electric motor, winch, range, and speed. An example of Thermite® being used recently can be seen at a train derailment in New Mexico, where firefighters were able to use the technology to move debris away from the crash and, as well, control the burning of fuels.