Can sound waves help stop California's wildfires?

LOS ANGELES — Could a dull white noise hum that’s emitted below 20 Hertz (Hz) become a new tool in California’s fight against wildfires?

As Pacific Palisades residents rebuild after last year’s devastating fire, some homeowners are turning to an unconventional form of protection to disrupt any potential flames before they spread.

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What You Need To Know

• A new technology uses sound waves to disrupt flames and slow fires

• Some Pacific Palisades homeowners are considering testing the system as they finalize rebuilding plans and consider options to self-insure

• The system does not rely on water or municipal electric grids to operate

• Installation costs are currently about 10% of a home’s value, according to the Sonic Fire Tech

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The technology, developed by California-based startup Sonic Fire Tech, uses powerful acoustic waves to interfere with the oxygen that fuels a fire. Instead of spraying water or chemicals, the system creates pressure waves that can slow, weaken, or extinguish flames by destabilizing the combustion process.

The idea is rooted in scientific research, including studies conducted by NASA, which found that certain low-frequency sound waves can suppress fire by interrupting the flow of oxygen around a flame.

Sonic Fire Tech is now adapting that concept for residential use, installing systems designed to respond automatically when a fire is detected.

Each home setup includes sensors that monitor for flames and chemical signatures associated with fire. When triggered, a network of emitters that are typically placed along roofs, gutters and fences deploys sound waves intended to stop or slow flames before they reach the structure.

For residents like Emily Bianchi, who is rebuilding her family’s home from the ground up, the appeal is clear. During January’s wildfire, she lost access to both water and power before evacuating, making traditional fire-suppression systems such as sprinklers become useless.

“That’s why we need systems that can operate without outside infrastructure,” she said. “If the power goes down, or the water is shut off, we still need something protecting the house.”

Because Sonic Fire Tech's system runs on built-in power and does not require water, it offers a layer of protection even when municipal services fail.

Still, the technology is not cheap.

Installation can cost roughly 10% of a home’s value, depending on size and layout. Company founder Remington Hotchkis said it works best with traditional fire-hardening strategies such as fire-resistant materials, defensible space and sprinklers.

“This isn’t a silver bullet,” Hotchkis said. “But it can be another tool in a layered defense strategy.”

So far, only a small number of homes across California have signed up to install the system. But as wildfire risk continues to grow statewide, interest in alternative forms of protection is increasing.

For communities like Pacific Palisades, where rebuilding is now underway, the hope is that innovation combined with smarter construction can help reduce the chances of repeating the devastation of the past.

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