BC Government Invests in Lightning Reduction Technology in Hopes of Reducing Wildfires

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.

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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.

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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.

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 communities have been affected by these areas in recent history, including the wildfire that burned down half of Jasper, a town in the neighbouring province of Alberta. Major cities across Canada have been affected by the smoke that comes from these fires, and even some American cities have experienced poor air quality due to wildfire smoke travelling south of the border.

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There will be seven testing zones across the province of British Columbia, and testing will begin this July. The province hopes this technology will help protect communities, critical infrastructure and local ecosystems that are currently at risk. If successful, this technology has the potential to save billions of dollars in damages as well as countless lives in the future.