Firewave, an Israeli startup, has deployed approximately 140 AI-powered acoustic sensors across high-risk sites in Israel to detect wildfires using sound analysis.

Dr. Jenia Yurkovsky, co-founder of Firewave, stated, "The main bottleneck with wildfires is in detection, with rescue services not being able to detect the fires before they become a major problem." The Firewave system allows for the detection of fires measuring a few square meters wide within minutes. Yurkovsky described the technology as a "game-changer because usually you detect fires when they're already starting to spread, with the first sparks not being observable by traditional detection systems."

The company installs its sensors near sensitive areas, including national parks and critical infrastructure. Firewave developed both the AI system and the detection devices, training the AI to differentiate between normal environmental sounds and those indicative of a fire. Yurkovsky said, "We have thousands of sounds registered that allow our system to understand not only if a fire is breaking down, but also if it's a controlled fire, a fire that was left unlit, or even a wildfire produced by the hot weather." Firewave operates pilot programs with the Kinneret Innovation Center and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

The system is designed to enable rescue services to use a fire extinguisher rather than heavy firefighting equipment. It also integrates with autonomous firefighting systems such as drones or sprinklers. Regarding a pilot program conducted in California, Yurkovsky said, "One of our pilots was done in California, where one of the most recognizable sounds is that of cicadas." She added, "We didn't hear that in Israel, but the system was able to adapt, classify it as part of the environment, and isolate it in order to continue scanning for fires."

Firewave provides services to various entities including forestry management bodies, national park authorities, critical infrastructure operators, municipalities, homeowners associations, rural communities, and summer camps located near dense vegetation. The company also aims to offer its services to private landowners in high-risk zones and sees potential revenue opportunities within the insurance sector.

Why It Matters

A report by the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund released in April 2026 indicated that the Jerusalem Hills took almost a year to recover from wildfires that occurred in 2025. By providing early detection, the technology aims to reduce the scale of wildfires and the resources required for their suppression.