San Bernardino County Firefighters Test Sound Wave Technology to Battle Blazes

New infrasound system aims to suppress fires without water or chemicals.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:54am

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A bold, abstract painting in soft blues, greens, and grays featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex scientific forces and vibrations behind a new sound wave fire suppression system.An innovative sound wave technology aims to revolutionize firefighting by disrupting the chemical reaction of flames without the use of water or chemicals.San Bernardino Today

The San Bernardino County Fire Department recently conducted a live demonstration of a cutting-edge fire suppression technology that uses sound waves to stop fires in their earliest stages. Developed by former NASA acoustics engineers, the system is designed to create a protective zone that can halt ignition in milliseconds without causing collateral damage.

Why it matters

This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize firefighting, especially in wildfire-prone areas where traditional methods can be ineffective or damaging. By using sound waves to disrupt the chemical reaction of fires, the system could provide a more efficient and environmentally-friendly way to combat blazes before they spread.

The details

The demonstration, held in partnership with Sonic Fire Tech, showcased how the infrasound technology works by vibrating oxygen at a rate that prevents fire from consuming it, breaking the chemical reaction. Unlike water sprinklers, which can actually spread certain types of fires, this system is designed to autonomously detect flames and immediately trigger the sound wave suppression without causing water damage.

  • The live demonstration took place on Monday, March 31, 2026.
  • The technology is already being incorporated into some newly constructed homes in Altadena after the devastating Eaton Fire in January 2025.

The players

Sonic Fire Tech

A company that developed the cutting-edge sound wave fire suppression system in collaboration with former NASA acoustics engineers.

Remington Hotchkis

The Chief Commercialization Officer for Sonic Fire Tech, who explained how the infrasound technology works to disrupt the chemical reaction of fires.

Ryan Beckers

A firefighter who participated in testing the capabilities of the sound wave technology during the demonstration.

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What they’re saying

“This technology works without water or chemicals, creating a protective zone that can stop ignition in milliseconds while avoiding the collateral damage often seen with traditional suppression methods.”

— Sonic Fire Tech, News release

“We vibrate the oxygen at a rate where fire can't consume it, and it breaks the chemical reaction. We use infrasound, which are sound waves that are inaudible to the human ear.”

— Remington Hotchkis, Chief Commercialization Officer, Sonic Fire Tech

“If you keep a fire small because a fire was detected while it was small, and put out right away, that's gonna save money, that's gonna help with insurance rates.”

— Ryan Beckers, Firefighter

What’s next

It's unclear exactly when, or if, the San Bernardino County Fire Department plans to implement the use of the sound wave fire suppression technology.

The takeaway

This innovative sound wave technology has the potential to revolutionize firefighting by providing a more efficient, environmentally-friendly, and damage-reducing way to combat fires, especially in wildfire-prone areas where traditional methods can fall short. If successfully adopted, it could lead to significant cost savings and insurance rate improvements for homeowners and businesses.