Startup says it can stop lightning to prevent catastrophic wildfires

In June 2023 a heat wave in Quebec produced thousands of lightning strikes that ignited more than 120 wildfires. Nearly 7,000 fires burned across Canada that year, scorching tens of millions of acres, releasing nearly 500 million tons of carbon, and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee; lightning sparked almost 60% of the fires, and those blazes accounted for 93% of the total area burned.

Vancouver-based Skyward Wildfire says it can prevent the lightning strikes that ignite such blazes and has raised millions to accelerate product development. Until last week the company stated on its website that it has demonstrated technology capable of preventing “up to 100% of lightning strikes.” That claim was removed after inquiries.

Canada, Vancouver

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