What it does
FLARE is a low-cost, biodegradable sensor that detects wildfires the moment they start and sends instant alerts. It’s an early wildfire detection system that requires no infrastructure, network, or maintenance and cuts response times, helping save lives.
Your inspiration
In 2016, a close friend lost everything during the Fort McMurray wildfire. Years later my family’s home burnt down in a fire. These personal experiences highlighted the growing threat of fires. Here in Alberta, the majority of summers have become reminiscent of toxic smoke-filled skies, constant warnings, and the fear of evacuations. Wildfires are becoming more intense and frequent, causing increasing damage, while Canada spends billions annually to fight them. As an engineering student, I knew I could apply my skills to do something real. FLARE was born from that urgency—an idea to detect fires early and prevent them from becoming disasters.
How it works
FLARE is a wildfire sensor camouflaged as a rock, designed for long-range alerts. When it detects nearby fire—through rising ambient and radiant heat—a bimetallic strip bends, completing a circuit that activates the device. Critical data is instantly transmitted via high-frequency radio waves, which refract off the ionosphere to reach receivers over 1000 km away, even in remote regions. Radiant heat allows FLARE to sense fires over a wide area, triggering early alerts before fire spreads. With zero power consumption while inactive, it can last up to 30 years. The outer shell is biodegradable, weatherproof, and impact-tested for aerial deployment. The casing is coated with a natural, non-toxic rubber that deters animal interference due to its unpleasant taste, while its shape blends into the environment to avoid disrupting wildlife. Wildfires release up to 8 billion tons of CO₂ annually—FLARE helps reduce this carbon footprint and protect ecosystems.
Design process
After interning at a fire protection engineering firm, I realized how outdated and delayed our current wildfire detection systems are. I wanted something simple, low-cost, and reliable. I started modeling early versions of FLARE in CAD software and ran thermal and structural simulations to optimize the shell under fire conditions. Using my university’s engineering lab, I experimented with multiple 3D printing methods and filaments for the shell and circuit components. I used stress analysis tools to simulate real wildfire scenarios and consulted with materials science professors to select the right eco-safe composites. I then worked at the electronics lab to fine-tune the internal layout and integrate the thermal sensor and alert transmission module. The prototypes have been built and assembled in our mechanical workshop using custom 3D prints and off-the-shelf components. I’m currently on Version 3, which features improved heat sensitivity and signal strength. With each iteration, I refined the unit to minimize size, increase reliability, and keep production costs low. Real-world heat testing in lab conditions helped tune the activation temperature. The project has become more than a prototype—it’s now a working system ready for field testing and scalable production.
How it is different
Satellite detection for fires is easily disrupted by clouds or smoke, and delayed by up to 7 hours. It often misses early-stage fires and frequently reports false positives due to poor imaging resolution. Drones and fire-patrols are labor-intensive, expensive, and limited by range and terrain to monitor large forest areas 24/7. Meanwhile, IoT sensors need network towers and solar panels, making them hard to install in remote areas—they also suffer connectivity issues. FLARE solves all of this. It doesn’t rely on visibility, maintenance, or network towers. Its high frequency signal can travel over 1000 km by refracting off the ionosphere—making it perfect for isolated, high-risk regions where minutes matter. At just $15 per unit, FLARE provides instant detection, requires zero infrastructure, and offers easy scalable deployment, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. It's the first wildfire detection tool built for scale, speed, and simplicity.
Future plans
We’re already in talks with local municipalities in Alberta and BC exploring pilot deployments of FLARE in high-risk fire zones. With early traction, I’ve launched the startup and have been working with manufacturers to finalize molds and PCB assembly, with the production cost estimated at $15 per unit. The next phase includes live testing in forested zones and controlled burn testing with wildfire training facilities. By 2032, my aim is for a scaled deployment across Canada and selected high-risk regions internationally. The goal is to expand FLARE nationally and globally—making wildfire detection faster, cheaper, and accessible to everyone.
Awards
FLARE won 1st place in the Sustainability Category at the RH Hackathon for tackling one of the world’s most underestimated climate threats—wildfires. Built from biodegradable materials, FLARE impressed judges with a fully functional prototype that offers a scalable, low-cost solution to a rapidly worsening global crisis.
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