Firefighting is about to get a significant boost with the introduction of FireDome, a startup that has developed a revolutionary technology to combat wildfires. Inspired by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, FireDome's system is designed to provide artillery-like support to firefighters, helping to protect vulnerable assets from wildfires before they strike.

The company's co-founder and CEO, Gadi Benjamini, a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces, drew parallels between fighting wildfires and waging war. "It's a battlefield," he said in an interview with TechCrunch. "It changes, it's dynamic, it's unexpected." Benjamini's experience in intelligence and his recent stint in the reserves working to free hostages held by Hamas have influenced the development of FireDome's technology.

FireDome's system consists of a tracking system, which uses a camera coupled with a computer to detect embers or small fires, and a launcher that hurls fire retardant-filled projectiles. These projectiles, which open before impact to disperse their contents, can create a barrier to surround a medium-sized patch of land, such as a neighborhood, resort, or vineyard, or attempt to extinguish small fires before they turn into large ones.

The system's initial version will be able to launch capsules up to a quarter mile out, covering 50 to 100 acres, depending on the topography. Later versions are expected to cover a one-mile radius, or a few hundred acres. The capsules are biodegradable, and Benjamini envisions reusing the sensors embedded within them, which can be recovered by cleanup crews.

California vineyards are likely to be among the first customers to benefit from FireDome's technology. These high-value crops are often a lower priority for Cal Fire than homes or neighborhoods, leaving them vulnerable to wildfires. Benjamini recounted a recent trip to Napa and Sonoma, where vineyard owners expressed frustration at being left unprotected during a huge fire.

Insurance companies are also on FireDome's radar, as the company aims to help communities reduce premiums by providing a solution that can mitigate the risk of wildfires. "We don't want to get in a situation where we use insurance," Benjamini said. "We have to find solutions that help our communities reduce the premiums."

FireDome, founded earlier this year by Benjamini and co-founder Adi Naor Pomerantz, has operated in stealth mode until now. The company has raised a $3 million pre-seed round led by Third Sphere and Gravity Climate, with participation from Atooro Fund, Caesar Fund, and Vertex Ventures. The first FireDome launchers are expected to see action later in the 2025-2026 fire season.

The implications of FireDome's technology are far-reaching, with the potential to revolutionize the way wildfires are fought. As the frequency and severity of wildfires continue to increase, innovative solutions like FireDome's are crucial in protecting lives, property, and the environment. With its artillery-like support, FireDome is poised to become a game-changer in the fight against wildfires.