Hydro Cannon Fire Defense touts wildfire water cannon systems

Hydro Cannon Fire Defense is promoting water cannon systems it says can help protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure as wildfire activity climbs across the U.S. The Greenwood, California company was founded after the 1991 Oakland fires and is targeting high-risk properties, fire departments and emergency agencies.

Why it matters: - Wildfire preparedness is becoming more urgent as 609 active wildfires burn across the U.S. - Hydro Cannon Fire Defense is positioning its systems as an extra layer of protection when evacuation is delayed, impossible or dangerous. - The company is targeting homes, businesses and critical infrastructure in wildfire-prone regions.

What happened: - Hydro Cannon Fire Defense said it developed proprietary water cannon technology to deliver high-capacity, wide-coverage spray from existing water sources. - The company was founded by Bill Faulkner after he witnessed the destruction of the 1991 Oakland fires. - The company is based in Greenwood, California. - Hydro Cannon Fire Defense is also manufacturing hydrant-mounted water cannon systems for qualified fire departments and emergency response agencies. - The company directed readers to view system demos and get more information.

The details: - The water cannon systems use swimming pools, water tanks and ponds as water sources. - The systems are designed to cover up to a 250-foot diameter area. - The spray rate is approximately 5,000 gallons per hour. - The systems are aimed at luxury residences, commercial businesses, equestrian properties, large-acreage properties, vineyards, resorts and other high-value properties. - The mounted water cannon is available in three systems. - The Tank Draw System uses an easy-install water tank, with 5,000 gallons or larger recommended, for semi-urban environments without a large water source. - The Pool Draw System uses a high-pressure pump to draw water from pools through a fire hose mounted to the Hydro Cannon. - The Pool Draw System can be condensed into a heavy-duty cart for storage and movement during the off season. - A Mini-Pro option is also available for residences with less storage space. - The Lake/Pond Draw System uses the same pump and fuel tank as the Pool Draw System. - The Lake/Pond Draw System sources water from a pond or lake and is mounted to a concrete pad near the water source.

Between the lines: - Hydro Cannon Fire Defense is tying its product pitch to broader concerns about modern fire behavior and increasingly severe wildfire activity. - The company is framing the technology as a supplement to traditional firefighting, not a replacement for firefighters. - The target market suggests the product is aimed at customers with assets that are expensive, spread out or difficult to evacuate quickly.

What's next: - Hydro Cannon Fire Defense is seeking more visibility through system demos and its website. - The company says it will continue developing wildfire defense systems for property owners and public agencies. - Wider adoption will likely depend on whether customers and agencies view the systems as practical for real-world wildfire conditions.

The bottom line: - Hydro Cannon Fire Defense is betting that more property owners will pay for active wildfire defense as fire seasons intensify and traditional response limits remain a concern.