Startup company unveils a smart wildfire sprinkler system that detects heat and protects homes remotely
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Two friends from Summit County are turning their personal experiences with forest fires into innovation with a wildfire defence system that could reshape how homeowners protect their properties in fire-prone regions.
Duston Dolamore and his co-founder, both graduates of Summit High School, grew up watching wildfires threaten their mountain hometown of Silverthorne, Colorado. After the 2021 Ptarmigan Fire came dangerously close to Dolamore’s family home, the feeling of helplessness sparked a mission: to create a system that could act even when homeowners couldn’t. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Colorado_wildfires
Their company, Defense Delivered, now offers a fully autonomous wildfire sprinkler system that uses thermal imaging cameras to detect heat from approaching flames or embers. Once triggered, the system activates targeted water zones, spraying up to 35 gallons per minute to cool vulnerable areas and prevent ignition.
Design for Harsh Conditions
Unlike traditional home sprinkler setups, Defense Delivered’s system is engineered for Colorado’s high-altitude climate. It features automatic drainage to prevent freeze damage and can operate year-round—even through freeze-thaw cycles.
The system’s efficiency is a key selling point. According to Division Chief Mathew Benedict of the Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District, “We have to be smart with every drop of water. A system like this puts water where the home is most vulnerable. In my opinion, that’s a win”.
Protecting Homes—and insurance rates
Beyond fire suppression, the system may help homeowners navigate Colorado’s increasingly difficult insurance market, where wildfire risk has made coverage harder to obtain. Defense Delivered offers wildfire risk assessments and mitigation reports that can be submitted to insurers for potential rate reductions under Colorado House Bill 25-1182.
The company’s broader strategy includes home hardening—clearing flammable vegetation, sealing vents, and installing ember-resistant barriers. Their automated sprinkler system acts as the last line of defense, deploying water and, if needed, US Forest Service-approved Class A foam.
🌲 A Growing Need in the Wildland-Urban Interface
With more homes being built in the wildland-urban interface—where residential zones meet forested areas—the threat of wildfire is growing. In 2024 alone, wildfires caused $1.8 billion in damage nationwide, and the average acreage burned per fire has increased dramatically.
Defense Delivered’s founders hope their system will become a standard feature in homes across the West. “We’ve returned to the community we were raised in to give back,” Dolamore said. “This is about peace of mind—and survival”.
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