DHS Wildfire Sensors Did Not Consistently Detect Fires and Provide Early Warning

From 2020 through 2024, the Department of Homeland Security, through the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), contracted with N5 Sensors, Inc. (N5) to develop and deploy wildfire detection sensors that did not consistently detect fires or alert state and local partners to aid response efforts.  Failure to detect wildfires early and notify first responders can result in the increased loss of life and property, and otherwise avoidable costs associated with rebuilding damaged communities.   Both technological limitations and environmental factors caused wildfire sensor issues.  The wildfire sensors required additional training and operational data to improve AI algorithms for fire detection.  Wind speed and direction also negatively impacted the performance of wildfire sensors.   S&T’s contract with N5 ended on December 31, 2024.  As of April 2025, the S&T had no plans to further fund wildfire sensor detection technologies.