The Problem
Lightning causes most Canadian wildfires, burned area, and emissions. In 2023, 70% of Canada’s wildfires (72% in B.C.) and 93% of forest area burned (97% in B.C.) were lighting-caused. Emissions from these wildfires were 2.4 Gt CO2e in 2023, three times the Canadian economy’s emissions. Canada and the U.S. spend over $7 billion annually on wildfire fighting, with B.C. and Alberta spending over $1B each in 2023.
The U.S. Government estimates wildfires cost the U.S. economy $394-893 billion annually. Globally, over 50% of wildfire costs are due to lightning–caused fires. Global warming is projected to double lightning strikes in Northern forests, increasing out-of-control wildfires, which have already doubled in the last 20 years compared to the prior 20 years.
The Solution
Introducing groundbreaking lightning suppression technology to prevent wildfires and protect communities, industries, and forests.
This CICE–funded project will enable Skyward to demonstrate its lightning suppression technology at a commercial scale during the summer of 2025.
The project will evolve from TRL 7 to TRL 9, developing the software, hardware, and team needed to deliver targeted lightning protection at landscape scale in Canada and for global export.
