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KLAMATH FALLS, OR (May 14, 2024) – Wildfire Water Solutions (WWS) announces a high-volume water network for the ultimate wildland firefighting tool. The system incorporates both suppression tactics as well as continuous water conveyance in the effort to save lives and prevent property damage.
“We provide critical water networks and technology designed to confront catastrophic wildfire,” says Mike Echols, CEO, Wildfire Water Solutions. “We have built our systems with the knowledge of longtime wildfire incident commanders, wildfire professionals, and water logistics experts to create a safe and effective solution.”
The WWS system includes:
- Scalable high-volume water networks. WWS can move up to 300,000 gallons of water per hour in a continuous, uninterrupted stream. That’s roughly a one-foot-deep acre of water per hour. Fully automated transfer pumps can carry water to the fire from up to 75 miles away from its source.
- Massive storage/Small footprint. Mobile storage tanks with 2,000 to 3 million gallons of capacity and “Tac Tanks,” with capacity of up to 20 thousand gallons, offer versatility and reliability to keep the water flowing. Once the event is over, the tanks are moved.
- Rapid deployment to remote locations. Tactical, rapid deployment systems can reach remote and rugged terrain. Water distribution networks can be deployed during a wildland fire emergency and can be fully operational in under 8 hours depending on location. Initial attack hand crews trained by the National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) operate the system.
- Automated delivery under pressure. Proprietary AquaView® network allows for real-time, 24/7 monitoring and precise control of water delivery. Advanced engineering, mapping, and leak detection systems ensure efficient management and rapid response to potential issues.
- Sustainability. Access to a continuous water supply chain reduces the environmental footprint. WWS systems actively monitor pressure throughout the system to proactively mitigate leaks and can collect and reuse water limiting drawdown on the original source.
- Commitment to safety. A series of pumps deliver enormous water volume to the fire zones with unparalleled reliability, safety, and efficiency. Continuous monitoring helps ensure a seamless operation.
WWS revolutionizes and enhances current wildland fire suppression and prevention resources while reducing risk to first responders, increasing public safety, and protecting public and private property and assets.
Team of Experts
WWS hired 56-year wildland fire veteran and longtime Tier I Incident Commander Joe Stutler as a consultant in developing the adaptation of the technology. They also partner with Type I Operations Chief and Type III Incident Commander Claren Nilsson and her Lost River Fire Management Service. Lost River is a leader in wildfire operations, including prevention, suppression, and high-hazard fuels treatments. Nilsson’s team will develop, train, and certify high-performing initial attack hand crews. Each team includes Crew Bosses and Squad Bosses who have been trained to meet or exceed national standards in wildland firefighting.
Decades of Experience
WWS is a joint venture with an industry-leading provider of innovative, efficient, and sustainable water management solutions for energy producers and other industrial users. WWS’s partner technology has been utilized to support the storage, treatment, and delivery of billions of gallons of water to hundreds of project locations in support of various energy, mining, pulp and paper, and other industrial applications on a daily basis for the last fifteen years. WWS uses these same effective systems and equipment, applying the expertise gained through decades in the field into new and innovative applications in wildland firefighting.
“The severity and frequency of wildland fire and its unprecedented liabilities has changed in the last few years as evidenced by acres burned, property damaged, and lives lost. This is what led to the formation of WWS,” Echols says.
Building and Maintaining Fire Resistant Landscapes
In addition to fighting wildland fire, WWS works with communities, municipalities, utilities, and agricultural and recreation areas to mitigate the risk of fire and protect life and property through pre-positioned storage tanks and preventative protection systems.
“Pre-positioning” means that systems are installed where they are needed most and ready if a fire occurs. Initial attack hand crews are also available for fuel and vegetation management work. In the event of a fire, the client pays an activation rate and can be confident they have an exclusive dedicated resource ready to provide sustained attack efforts to protect assets and save lives.
“Our scalable systems can be seamlessly integrated into existing infrastructure, structural, and wildland fire operations,” Echols says. “Whether a temporary emergency deployment or a semi-permanent preventive protection project is required, our services are tailored to client needs.”