Ian RandallAs wildfires once again rage across California, scientists say they have hit on a cheaper, easier way to detect and warn of such deadly blazes: a new type of forest fire sensor powered by nothing more than the swaying of trees.
The device—the size of a soup can and costing just $20 to produce—would theoretically be much cheaper than satellite monitoring or manned patrols.There have been more than 37,000 wildfires in the United States this year, charring nearly 11,000 square kilometers of land.
Firefighters typically monitor such outbreaks with manned watchtowers, aircraft, ground patrols, and satellites. But all of these are costly and require significant manpower.