Dryad partners with Spark NZ for wildfire detection rollout

Dryad Networks has announced a strategic partnership with Spark New Zealand to roll out its cutting-edge, ultra-early wildfire detection technology across the country. The initiative represents a major step forward in enhancing public safety and environmental protection by delivering faster wildfire alerts, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.

This collaboration will see Dryad's advanced sensor network integrated with Spark New Zealand's extensive telecommunications infrastructure. By combining Spark's reliable Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity with Dryad's solar-powered sensors, the partnership aims to deliver near-instantaneous alerts to emergency responders—sometimes even before flames are visible.

Sohan Domingo, Vice President of Sales, Technology, and Operations at Dryad Networks, emphasised the immediate benefits of the initiative. "Partnering with Spark will help deliver immediate, tangible safety benefits to New Zealand. Spark's IoT connectivity expertise, combined with Dryad's technology, will detect wildfires at their earliest stages, providing emergency responders with vital extra minutes to act. This collaboration is a proactive step towards improving wildfire preparedness and protecting lives, communities, and ecosystems across the country."

The sensors are engineered to detect fires during the critical smouldering phase, a stage when many traditional systems—such as satellite imaging or fire lookout towers—may still be unaware of the threat. Dryad's technology uses sophisticated gas sensors, environmental monitoring tools, and mesh networking to provide high-precision alerts in near real-time. These capabilities allow emergency services to respond to incidents far more quickly than conventional detection methods would permit.

What sets this system apart is its scalability and sustainability. Each sensor is solar-powered and built to endure harsh environmental conditions, making it particularly well-suited for deployment in rugged, fire-prone landscapes. The sensors form a dense network that communicates wirelessly through a low-power, wide-area network (LoRaWAN), ideal for vast and remote terrains where traditional cellular coverage may be patchy or nonexistent.

Matt McLay, IoT Sales Lead at Spark New Zealand, spoke to the growing urgency for such innovation. "Spark is proud to partner with Dryad Networks to deploy this life-saving technology across the country. Wildfires present an escalating threat to New Zealand communities, and Spark is committed to deploying innovative solutions that deliver immediate, meaningful impact. Combining Dryad's pioneering detection capabilities with national IoT connectivity equips communities with the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively."

New Zealand has seen a rise in wildfire activity in recent years, exacerbated by prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and changing weather patterns due to climate change. The need for early-warning systems has never been more pressing. Traditional fire monitoring tools, while valuable, are increasingly being outpaced by the speed at which wildfires can develop. Dryad and Spark's joint approach is a forward-looking response to this challenge—leveraging the best of modern sensor technology and telecommunications to stay one step ahead.

Beyond the immediate benefits to emergency response teams, the deployment also contributes to broader environmental goals. It aligns with Spark's ongoing commitment to support climate resilience and sustainability through innovation. For Dryad, it marks a significant international expansion and a deepening of its mission to use technology to protect vulnerable ecosystems from devastation.

The system's integration with Spark's national infrastructure also enables robust data management and analytics. Officials and fire services will gain access to dashboards and mobile tools that visualise data in real-time, making it easier to pinpoint risk zones, prioritise resources, and track wildfire developments across different regions.

Domingo added, "Working alongside Spark positions Dryad to reduce wildfire risks significantly and build greater resilience across New Zealand. This partnership exemplifies the companies' joint commitment to innovation and preparedness, helping to prepare communities to face an increasingly volatile climate future."

As wildfires grow more frequent and intense, this collaboration between Dryad Networks and Spark New Zealand represents a pivotal moment in how the country prepares for and combats fire threats. It is a model of how smart technology and strong partnerships can drive meaningful change—saving not just property and infrastructure, but lives.