FireWatch
FireWatch is a service that provides links to news stories from the fire community that have attracted our attention.
Florida FD Tests Quieter, Wearable Overnight Alerting System
FIRERESCUE1.COM The DeLand Fire Department in Florida is piloting EaseAlert, a new low‐volume alert system that replaces loud overnight sirens with wristband vibrations, bed shakers and flashing lights. The gentler wake‑ups aim to reduce stress and improve rest for...
Manitoba Modernizes Wildfire Systems to Keep Residents Safer
CLASSIC107.COM Manitoba is upgrading its wildfire detection and response systems to help warn residents faster and reduce fire damage. The new technology includes improved monitoring tools and better coordination across regions. See how these changes could make a real...
The Trail May Be Getting Colder, But It’s Not Too Late to Determine Wildfire Cause, Says Investigator
CBC Officials investigating New Brunswick’s recent wildfires say the exact causes remain unclear, but they believe human activity played a role. Efforts are underway to piece together how the flames started and spread. Read more to find out what clues are emerging...
The L.A. Wildfire Cleanup Was Fast. Residents Eager to Rebuild Worry Officials Chose Speed Over Safety
Cleanup crews in Los Angeles raced to clear wildfire debris at an unprecedented speed, but the urgency came with tough trade‑offs, including safety risks and long‑term costs. As residents returned home, concerns grew over toxic ash, damaged soil and infrastructure...
Wildfire retardants help stop fires — but also impact ecosystems
Hundreds of millions of litres of chemical retardant are dropped to fight wildfires, but these lifesaving agents may also leave lasting harm on ecosystems and waterways. As fire seasons grow more intense, the push for alternatives that are both effective and...
Amid Canada’s tough wildfire season, opinions split over use of volunteers and reservists
Hundreds of volunteers from across Canada have stepped up to help fight an unprecedented wildfire crisis, battling flames, smoke and exhaustion to defend their communities. Their efforts are becoming critical as fire seasons grow more intense year after year. See how...
“Forever Chemicals” under fire: Global push to protect firefighters and communities
Global attention is growing over PFAS, dubbed “forever chemicals”, found in firefighting foam and gear, with Australia banning a few and the EU aiming to outlaw the entire class. Firefighters, scientists, and health advocates are pushing for urgent change, but what’s...
A Boulder Creek tech startup is using drones and AI to detect the next big wildfire
A Boulder Creek-based startup has designed an AI-powered network of sensors, cameras and drones to spot wildfire smoke the moment it appears, and even send drones to drop suppressants in hard-to-reach spots. This could transform how communities spot and squash fires...
Basic2Breakthrough: Drop-In Lithium-Ion Battery Technology Mitigates the Risk of Explosion and Fire
A team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory drew inspiration from a fun kitchen experiment, oobleck, to develop a lithium‑ion battery additive that instantly solidifies on impact, helping to prevent fires if the battery is dropped or smashed. This drop‑in solution can be...
Colorado Prints Houses in 16 Days: Fire-Resistant Concrete Homes Built Layer by Layer While COBOD Robot Creates 1,100 Square Feet
A pair of innovative homes in Colorado were 3D-printed using fire-resistant concrete in just 16 days, offering a faster and stronger option for those in wildfire-prone areas. These 1,100‑square‑foot houses use A1‑rated walls that resist burning, while cutting both...
BC Wildfire Service warns of sharing AI-generated images of fires
The BC Wildfire Service is cautioning the public about AI‑generated wildfire images that are being shared online, and may mislead people about real fire conditions. “Someone scrolling past could believe this image is real when it is not,” officials warn. Discover why...
Compensation Coming for Volunteer Firefighters says Premier
Premier John Hogan announced on August 12, 2025, that the Newfoundland and Labrador government will begin compensating volunteer firefighters for their extraordinary service during this summer’s wildfire season. Discover how volunteers are finally being recognized,...
Like wearing a snowsuit in summer’: Volunteer firefighters face hurdles without wildfire gear
Volunteer fire departments in Newfoundland and Labrador are raising concerns that their heavy bunker gear, designed for house fires, is putting them at risk out in the woods. Carrying 40‑pound suits in scorching heat slows crews down and heats them up fast, making...
Wildfire fighters, unmasked in toxic smoke, are getting sick and dying
Wildland firefighters across the U.S. are getting cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even dying - yet many go out into toxic smoke without any masks. Decades of internal warnings went unheeded as agencies failed to heed the dangers. Learn how this failure to act is...
Cancer, Trauma, and the Toll of Service: What 15 Years of Claims Data Tell Us About Firefighter Health in Canada
Cancer, Trauma, and the Toll of Service: What 15 Years of Claims Data Tell Us About Firefighter Health in Canada - BLOGS.UFV.CA
Greeley Fire Department Warns Against Using Extinguishers Marketed Online For Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Greeley Fire Department Warns Against Using Extinguishers Marketed Online For Lithium-Ion Battery Fires - DENVER7.COM
Volunteer Firefighter Services Stretched Beyond Limits During Extraordinary Events says Municipal Leader
Volunteer Firefighter Services Stretched Beyond Limits During Extraordinary Events says Municipal Leader - VOCM.COM
Ambulance Response Times Improve in Early Months of Winnipeg’s New 911 Dispatch System
Ambulance Response Times Improve in Early Months of Winnipeg's New 911 Dispatch System - CBC.ca
