In an ambitious move to combat escalating wildfire threats, Lockheed Martin, PG&E Corporation, Salesforce, and Wells Fargo have joined forces to create EMBERPOINT™, a venture aimed at transforming wildfire prevention, detection, and response across the United States. Announced in a press release on January 26, 2026, this collaborative effort leverages cutting-edge technology to provide communities with advanced tools to tackle an increasingly urgent crisis.
Wildfires have become more frequent, larger, and devastating in recent years, leading to billions of dollars in damages each year. As businesses and communities grapple with these escalating risks, the formation of EMBERPOINT™ serves as a beacon of hope, promising to enhance the safety of firefighters and the public alike.
The innovative partnership will employ artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and integrated command-and-control technology. This multifaceted approach aims to assist first responders in detecting wildfires earlier, minimizing their spread, and improving coordination during mitigation efforts. For small business owners, this means not only improved community safety but also a more stable business environment less prone to the disruptions caused by wildfires.
Lockheed Martin, a pioneer in defense technology, will contribute its expertise in layered prediction and detection, as well as autonomous response capabilities. This could allow firefighters to rapidly identify fire outbreaks and intervene at the critical early stages. "It’s time to change the way we think about wildfires and bring the best of American technology and know-how to this growing threat to lives and property," commented Jim Taiclet, Lockheed Martin’s Chairman, President, and CEO.
PG&E Corporation’s subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, will provide valuable wildfire mitigation experience, leveraging its established risk management programs. The contribution of such a large utility ensures that communities, especially those in high-risk areas, can effectively utilize state-of-the-art solutions without bearing the costs of development themselves.
Salesforce will play a crucial role by unifying various data streams into a real-time response engine, enhancing organizational coordination during fire emergencies. John Somorjai, Chief Corporate Development and Investments Officer at Salesforce, emphasized the importance of integrating powerful tools to tackle pressing challenges, saying, "We look forward to integrating our world-class AI capabilities with the specialized expertise of our partners."
Wells Fargo is supporting this initiative through a capital investment, reflecting the financial industry’s commitment to addressing significant societal challenges. For small business owners, this could translate into better overall community resilience, providing a more stable business landscape.
This partnership not only aims to enhance emergency response but also has implications for economic stability. By decreasing response times and improving prevention measures, businesses can expect fewer disruptions due to natural disasters. Enhanced fire safety measures may also bolster consumer confidence, encouraging spending in affected regions.
However, while the potential benefits are significant, small business owners should be aware of some challenges that may accompany the initiative. Among these is the need for regulatory approval for some components of the project, particularly those linked to utility operations. Collaborating across multiple sectors can present difficulties in alignment and governance, potentially impacting the speed and efficiency of technology deployment.
Moreover, small businesses might realize that while the technology promises improvement, there may be initial costs or foundational investments needed in order to fully integrate with these new systems. Staying informed and preparing for these shifts will be critical in maximizing the benefits of EMBERPOINT™.
As the initiative unfolds, demonstrations are targeted for 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in wildfire management. With the combined strengths of its partners, EMBERPOINT™ aims not only to enhance fire response capabilities but also to provide a model that other regions could deploy.
For small business owners, the groundwork laid by this collaboration could signify a new era of safety and stability. By ensuring that communities are better prepared for wildfires, there’s hope that businesses can thrive in a safer environment.
To read more about the EMBERPOINT initiative and its implications, visit the original release here.
Image Via Salesforce
