The October 2017 Nuns Fire surrounded my Cavedale Road residence, coming within five feet of the house. Over 90,000 people were evacuated from their homes, and 44 individuals died in the blaze. While the wildfire hop-scotched from hill to hill, homeowners had to watch the approaching smoke and flames and decide just when it was time to pack and leave.

Things have become more fraught, as PG&E now shuts down power when there is a high fire danger due to the risk of wind blowing down transmission lines. 

Necessity being the mother of invention, I was determined to use cutting edge technology to provide needed communication that works even in our greatest moment of need. 

More than three years of design and prototype implementation led to the creation of LoRaLine, now ready for full neighborhood deployment.

Harry Saal, Retired Network Executive