Cousin Sam Technologies, Inc.
Sensor and hardware technology for natural disasters.
We develop technology that helps detect and respond to natural disasters, starting with wildfires. Our first project is a sensing stake that watches for fire still smoldering underground after a wildfire is contained.
In research and development. Nothing is for sale yet.
The problem
A wildfire can be out on the surface and still burning below it.
After a wildfire is contained, fire can keep smoldering underground. This is called a holdover. It can stay there for days. Then strong wind can bring it back to the surface, and the fire flares back up.
What we are working on first
A stake that watches below the surface.
The stake is driven partly into the ground after a fire is contained. It watches for signs that fire is still smoldering underground:
- Temperature at several depths
- Soil gases, such as carbon monoxide
- Sound
The goal is to alert fire crews with a location, so they can reach it before it flares back up.
We are also researching whether a ring of stakes can use focused sound to knock down small flare ups until crews arrive.
Why we care
The Palisades Fire started as a holdover.
The January 2025 Palisades Fire began as a holdover from the Lachman Fire. The Lachman Fire was put out, but it kept burning underground in root systems. About a week later, strong winds brought it back to the surface.
Our founder, Nick Raddon, lost his home in that fire. We are building this so the next holdover is found while it is still underground.
Contact
Get in touch.
If you work in wildfire, or want to follow this work, we would like to hear from you.
Email us