SensoRyAI asked to join XPRIZE wildfire semifinalist team Wildfire Quest. The $11M XPRIZE Wildfire is a four-year global competition designed to end destructive wildfires by catalyzing breakthrough technologies in ultra-early detection and rapid autonomous response. As climate-driven fire seasons intensify, every second counts. This prize challenges innovators to deliver faster, more precise, and more resilient solutions that can detect, manage, and suppress small fires before they escalate into devastating events.

Combined Next-gen technology could change how the world responds to wildfires

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Valley Christian Schools (VCS) Wildfire Quest team, the only high school team worldwide to reach the semifinals in the $11M XPRIZE Wildfire competition, has announced new partnerships with Kaizen Aerospace and SensoRy AI. These alliances further bolster the VCS cutting-edge autonomous wildfire response system with proven industry expertise in heavy-lift drones and advanced fire detection technology.

Competing as Wildfire Quest, the San Jose-based student innovators are one of only 15 semifinalist teams in the Autonomous Wildfire Response track of XPRIZE Wildfire. Their mission: to develop a fully autonomous system that detects and extinguishes wildfires in under 10 minutes.

“Wildfire response is one of the most important real-world applications of autonomous flight,” says Ziv Marom, Kaizen Aerospace President and Founder. “We’re proud to bring Kaizen’s technology and experience to this team and to help push the limits of what’s possible in the field. We’re joining Wildfire Quest as a long-term partner to help turn bold ideas into field-ready capability. We’re committed to advancing real tools for firefighters and accelerating this team’s impact.”

Youth vs. Wildfire: A Global Race for Innovation

Building on their $25,000 Technical Verification award and early successes, the team is now preparing for field testing this fall. By integrating new partnerships with Kaizen Aerospace and SensoRy AI, the students bring professional-grade capabilities into their system, strengthening their ability to detect, prioritize, and suppress wildfires faster than ever before.

“Wildfire Quest is showing the world that age is no barrier to making an impact,” said Ryan Honary, Founder of SensoRy AI. “I also started SensoRy AI in high school, so the Wildfire Quest story resonates personally with me. I am very excited that together with SensoRy AI’s innovative wildfire detection technology and Wildfire Quest’s bold autonomous response platform, we are delivering a cutting-edge end-to-end solution for wildfire detection, notification and suppression.”

About Kaizen Aerospace: Heavy-Lift Autonomy for Aerial Suppression

Kaizen Aerospace  contributes proven expertise in heavy-lift autonomous drones—capable of carrying payloads up to 1,000 lb—paired with AI-driven mission navigation via its xNav™ system. For Wildfire Quest, Kaizen provides flight technology, integration support, and operational experience to execute rapid, reliable aerial suppression. Kaizen has joined as a long-term partner, dedicated to advancing next-generation tools for firefighting through and beyond the XPRIZE competition.

About SensoRy AI: Detecting Fires in Minutes, From Miles Away

SensoRy AI , founded by Ryan Honary, provides its patented multi-sensor platform capable of detecting wildfires in their incipient stage from thousands of feet away and reporting them within minutes. 

Developed with guidance and mentorship of Professor Kavehpour Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at UCLA, and support from Orange County Fire Authority, the system has undergone extensive field testing with real fires and has been deployed in the field for more than six months. The technology not only identifies small fires at long distances but also reports precise locations, enabling Wildfire Quest to rapidly deploy drones for suppression.

About XPRIZE

XPRIZE is the recognized global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. For over 30 years, our unique model has democratized crowd-sourced innovation and scientifically scalable solutions that accelerate a more equitable and abundant future. Donate, learn more, and co-architect a world of abundance with us at xprize.org.

About Valley Christian Schools and the AMSE Institute

The AMSE Institute at Valley Christian Schools (San Jose, CA) empowers K–12 students to explore and excel in STEM through real-world research and innovation, including aerospace and environmental technologies. Valley Christian Schools (VCS) offers a college-preparatory education rooted in faith, excellence, and purpose. For more information, visit vcs.net

Photo, Video Asset Downloads

RESOURCES

https://science.nasa.gov/earth/explore/wildfires-and-climate-change

SOURCE Valley Christian Schools

Homeland’s 50 Trailblazers Announced

Washington, D.C. September 12 – Today, the day after the nation’s remembrance of the events of 9/11, Homeland Security Today is proud to announce its 2025 “Homeland’s 50 Trailblazers” to highlight hope, and bring attention to the people trailblazing innovations to the nation’s most pressing threats and vulnerabilities.

The Trailblazers list focuses on individuals who are finding and implementing the most cutting-edge homeland security solutions in service to our citizens and nation. Their innovations are leveraging advancements to make the country safer and make #neveragain a reality.

“We are always inspired and heartened by the leadership, innovation and commitment of the heroes selected as Trailblazers,” said Executive Editor of Homeland Security Today Kristina Tanasichuk. “These leaders realize that the future is now and that embracing change and harnessing the power of rapid advancement for their mission protects us all. They truly are blazing new trails – especially in the new world of AI.”

Editors and Advisors to Homeland Security Today select top leaders advancing critical existing and emerging missions across the broad field of “homeland security” and building the critical partnerships between our government, the private sector and our citizens for a prepared and resilient nation.  This year’s cadre represent the public and private sector, and innovators in disciplines across homeland.

See the full list of Trailblazers and write ups here. 

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA (February 11, 2025) – In a unified effort to address the growing threat of wildfires in Southern California, Ryan Honary, founder of SensoRy AI, has partnered with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the City of Irvine to deploy his award-winning AI-driven wildfire detection system in the Irvine Open Space Preserve.

SensoRy AI’s platform combines a wireless mesh sensor network with artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect wildfires at their earliest stages, providing firefighters with instant notifications and real-time updates on predicted growth speed and direction. Designed to be low-cost and scalable, the solution is ideal for high-risk areas.

“Early detection is one of our greatest weapons in what has become a year-round fire season, empowering crews to more safely and effectively execute the robust and rapid initial attack required to keep wildfires small,” said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “For several years now, we have partnered with Ryan and SensoRy AI. We are proud and grateful that his technology has the potential to provide our firefighters with real-time data that expedites resource allocation, improves firefighting strategy, and enhances our mission to protect life and property.”

The initial installation focuses on high-risk zones within the Irvine Open Space Preserve, which is a part of nearly 40,000 acres of interconnected open space owned by the City of Irvine, OC Parks, and California State Parks that functions as a key ecological corridor connecting open space in Orange County to the Cleveland National Forest. The deployment comes after several successful pilots carried out with the support of Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) at their native seed farm and OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with and supported Ryan in the development and testing of SensoRy AI’s technology,” said Dr. Nathan Gregory, Senior Vice President and Chief Programs Officer at IRC. “Utilizing innovative tools to assist with protecting open spaces and communities from wildfire is essential, and this technology will help us do that.”

So far this year, wildfires have burned over 57,000 acres in California, killing nearly 30 people and causing an estimated $255 billion in economic losses. By merging OCFA’s operational expertise with SensoRy AI’s advanced detection technology, the deployment represents a significant step forward in protecting lives, property and ecosystems from the devastating effects of these disasters.

“Since 2020, my goal has been to create technology that gives first responders the early warning they need to respond to wildfires faster and more effectively,” said Ryan Honary. “The support I’ve received from experts like Chief Fennessy and Dr. Gregory has been invaluable as I’ve worked to turn what started as a science project into a real-world solution that can save lives.”

About SensoRy AI

SensoRy AI, founded by Ryan Honary, is a company dedicated to developing AI-powered solutions for environmental hazard detection. The company’s mission is to provide cutting-edge technology that enables communities and emergency responders to stay ahead of environmental disasters, from wildfires to other critical threats. SensoRy AI’s early detection system is just one of its innovative solutions aimed at protecting lives and property.

About Orange County Fire Authority

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is a regional fire service agency that serves 23 cities in Orange County and all unincorporated areas. OCFA operates from 78 fire stations, providing fire protection and emergency medical services to nearly 2 million residents. The agency is committed to safeguarding lives and property through a combination of fire prevention, education, and effective emergency response.

About Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the ecological health of urban wildlands in a way that fosters compatible human behaviors and inspires connections and partnerships. These lands include the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks — over 40,000 acres of precious open space in Orange County that have been recognized for their biological and geological significance. IRC actively manages these critically important areas in partnership with the City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, OC Parks, and numerous other community partners.

Orange County high school student deploys fire-detecting technology inspired by one of California’s deadliest blazes.

After the devastating wildfires that ravaged Southern California, many are searching for ways to prevent future disasters. A 17-year-old high school junior from Orange County, Ryan Honary, may have found a game-changing solution.

Honary has developed an advanced sensor that leverages artificial intelligence to detect fires as small as a square foot, potentially giving first responders a critical head start.

“I’m actually super excited for this deployment because I’ve been working at this for almost five years now,” said Honary, who first conceived the idea when he was just 10 years old.

On Monday, Honary deployed his device for the first time. The technology, which integrates infrared sensors with AI, can identify heat sources—including open flames as small as a floor tile. The sensor’s camera continuously refreshes, capturing new images every few seconds, and can even detect heat plumes, providing an early warning system for emergency responders.

Honary’s inspiration stemmed from the deadly 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California, which destroyed 18,000 homes and buildings. At the time, he was a fifth grader at Newport Harbor High School and Stanford Online High School. What began as a simple science project has now evolved into an innovative wildfire detection network.

“The teacher asked us to make anything—that was the assignment,” Honary recalled. His initial prototype consisted of a circuit board with a jumble of wires, but after years of research and development, it has transformed into a sophisticated network of sensors.

Now, in collaboration with the Orange County Fire Authority, Honary’s technology is adding to the agency’s existing fire detection tools. His system provides immediate alerts, allowing firefighters to respond before a fire can spread.

“The purpose of the whole network is to detect fires in their incipient stage, when they’re around or even smaller than one foot,” Honary explained. “By the time firefighters are notified or arrive, the fire is so small that it’s almost like a nuisance—they can easily put it out and move on with their day, rather than facing a massive blaze like the one in Los Angeles.”

Honary hopes that within the next decade, his sensors will not only protect Irvine but will be deployed nationwide, helping to prevent wildfires before they escalate into disasters.

IRVINE, Calif. (KTLA) – For the first time, a fire detection system invented by a Newport Beach teenager will be tested in a real-world situation.

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Honary’s system, which he has been developing for five years, will be deployed near the 133 and 405 freeways in Irvine.

Honary’s invention started as a science fair project and has grown into a company called Sensory AI. The system uses three sensors to detect flame, smoke, and heat. Recently, it was upgraded with infrared cameras.

This first test will use a single device with smoke sensors, infrared cameras, and cellular capability to contact firefighters.

“This is super exciting because I’ve been working at this for five years now, and we’ve done test after test to make sure everything works well,” Honary said.

The deployment location was chosen with help from the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the City of Irvine. Although Honary is not being paid yet, there is hope that a successful test will lead to a contract.

OCFA confirmed their ongoing support for Honary’s project, but the City of Irvine has not yet responded.

If the test goes well, more devices and a mesh network will be added over time to improve fire detection and response.

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA (December 14, 2022) – At a time when many teens are planning for the near future, 15-year-old Ryan Honary is looking further ahead. He is passionate about saving the planet, and thanks to a new partnership between his company, Sensory AI, the non-profit Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) and, most recently, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), he’s closer to creating a better future for humankind.

“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Nathan Gregory and Chief Brian Fennessy,” said Honary. “This new partnership with IRC and OCFA advances the SensoRy AI solution with the goal of protecting lives and the environment throughout California and around the globe.”

The Newport Beach teen invented an AI-driven early wildfire detection system. Utilizing a wireless mesh network of sensors and AI capable of predicting spread patterns, Honary’s low-cost network can be deployed anywhere and communicate in real-time via an app. A research grant from the U.S. Navy enabled SensoRy AI to build a team and further develop and test the technology in rugged environments. Honary was recently invited by OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy to present the SensoRy AI solution at UC San Diego’s WiFire Lab and received favorable feedback. 

Honary began working with Nathan Gregory, PhD, Chief Conservation Officer of IRC in 2021 to develop field applications for his concept. IRC manages 30,000 acres of fire-prone urban wildlands in Orange County. The system was field tested at IRC’s Native Seed Farm earlier this year with successful results.

“Ryan’s solution will enable us to monitor key factors that contribute to preservation and stewardship of our local wildlands. We believe this technology has applications that can potentially change conservation and land management everywhere,” said Dr. Gregory.

IRC sees such broad potential in this technology that it recently invested $250,000 of its own funds that will allow the network to be tested more broadly.  In addition, Dr. Gregory will be joining the SensoRy AI Technical Advisory Board.

In November OCFA Chief Fennessy also joined SensoRy AI as an advisor, and his team of fire-fighting professionals are assisting Ryan in further developing his platform.

“This technology has enormous potential to keep our first responders and our communities safe by helping predict, detect, and suppress wildfires,” said Fennessy. 

Honary was recently selected to present his story and vision at the upcoming UNESCO Learning Planet Festival on January 23-28, 2023 in Paris, France.  His presentation is titled “The Future of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Environmental Solutions.” The Learning Planet Festival brings together hundreds of pioneering organizations and activists learning to take care of oneself, others and the planet.

About Ryan Honary

Ryan Honary is an award-winning 15-year-old student at Stanford Online High School, who has been putting his STEM-fueled passion for people and the environment into real action for years. While not developing science-based solutions to local and global climate challenges, Honary loves playing competitive tennis and, in support of a local not-for-profit, teaching it to autistic youth; singing and shredding on guitar; and surfing in his hometown of Newport Beach, CA. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Honary’s solution was originally developed in response to the devastation of the 2018 Camp Fire, including the deaths of 85 people and the destruction of over 18,000 structures at a cost of more than $16.5 billion. The invention earned him Grand Prize at the 2019 Ignite Innovation Student Challenge and established the Early Wildfire Detection Network, for which he was named the 2020 American Red Cross Disaster Services Hero for Orange County. He also earned a spot in the Top 30 Finalists at the 2020 Broadcom Masters.

About Sensory AI

In March 2020, Ryan Honary’s early wildfire detection system won the prestigious Office of Naval Research (ONR) Naval Science grant. This grant led to the formation of Sensory AI. The company has since received multiple rounds of funding from ONR for continued research and development.

About Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the ecological health of urban wildlands in a way that fosters compatible human behaviors and inspires connections and partnerships.  The Conservancy manages and restores approximately 30,000 acres of rare wildlands in Orange County, California in partnership with public landowners.

About Orange County Fire Authority

Orange County Fire Authority is a regional fire service agency that serves 23 cities and all unincorporated areas in Orange County. OCFA protects over 2 million residents from its 77 fire stations located throughout Orange County. OCFA, founded in 1995, is a premier public safety agency providing superior fire protection and medical emergency services to our communities.