Orange County Teen Invents Wildfire Detection Device

A 15-year-old Orange County resident has made headlines for his wildfire detection device, reportedly able to work as a smoke alarm for remote areas at risk for wildfires.

According to recent media reports, the small device contains sensors able to detect smoke, flames, and heat.

Developed by Ryan Honary of Newport Beach, the gadget runs on two AA batteries and has been backed by The Irvine Ranch Conservancy, an Orange County-based conservation organization that has invested in the development of the device.

According to a recent press release, the teen claims the device even works in areas with no cellular service by using what’s known as a “mesh network,” where one device transmits information to other nearby devices until the information eventually connects to equipment with a cellular signal.

Honary said the system will also use Artificial Intelligence to predict where fires will grow.

The teen’s invention has also garnered the attention of Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy, who currently aids the teen as an unpaid advisor.

“This technology has enormous potential to keep our first responders and our communities safe by helping predict, detect, and suppress wildfires,” Fennessy said in a recent statement.

The teen was also awarded a research grant from the U.S. Navy to further develop and test the technology in rugged environments, and was recently invited to present his invention at the University of California–San Diego’s “WiFire Lab,” a program that, in part, provides fire officials with real-time containment strategies.

Honary’s device has come a long way since its initial inception as an award-winning science fair project.

According to a December statement from the teen’s blog, the system could be ready to be deployed in real-world situations as early as sometime next year.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy has recently invested $250,000 into the project.

Honary also presented his story and system at the UNESCO Learning Planet Festival in Paris, France early this year.