BC Government to Invest in Lightning Reduction Technology
BC Government to Invest in Lightning Reduction Technology
Publish Date: 2026-05-29 04:24:00
Source Domain: snowbrains.com
70% of wildfires were caused by lightning strikes in British Columbia in 2024. | Credit: NIILO ISOTALO/UNSPLASH
Vancouver-based company Skyward Wildfire Technologies has received support from the Government of British Columbia to conduct a field trial of its technology to determine if it could reduce the frequency of wildfires.
Skyward Wildfire Technologies is a company that uses proprietary A.I.-enabled forecasting to predict areas that are at a higher risk of wildfires due to lightning strikes. They use this data to target certain areas and release lightning reduction material into storm clouds, which, in theory, will reduce the chance of lightning.
According to Skyward Wildfire Technologies, the lightning reduction material is made up of “silica and basalt fibre with an aluminum nano coating.” These materials allow electric charge to “redistribute quietly inside the cloud,” rather than build up, which causes lightning strikes.
Skyward Wildfire Technologies could receive up to CAD 1 million (~USD 725,000) from the Government of British Columbia to test its technology. The BC Government stated that these field tests will determine if this technology is effective and can meet the province’s wildfire prevention standards. If successful, this technology could be implemented across Canada to help prevent wildfires.
Environmental activists have questioned the environmental impact of these lightning reduction materials, but Skyward has stated that these materials are non-toxic. Skyward also argues that the lightning reduction material is more environmentally friendly than fighting fires with fire retardant, not to mention the smoke that gets released from these fires.
The Jasper Wildfire Complex in August 2024. | Credit: Rocky Mountain Outlook
Lightning strikes are the leading cause of wildfires in British Columbia and according to the Government of British Columbia, they account for 70% of these fires and 97% of all area burned in 2024. Major…
