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The Gap Between Ignition and Suppression--When Sprinklers are not Enough
The WatchDog Robotics NozzleBot™ Targeting a Fire The Ontario warehouse fire and the response gap conventional systems cannot close At approximately 12:30 a.m. on April 7, 2026, an employee walked through a 1.2 million-square-foot Kimberly-Clark distribution center in Ontario, California and systematically lit pallets of paper products with a lighter. He filmed himself doing it. By morning, the building was gone. The facility served roughly 50 million consumers across the reg
Ethan Pretsch
Apr 225 min read
![Autonomous Fire Suppression: The Complete Guide [2026]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db9095_542a4617f37646b4b8218e878b88dc6e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1200,h_901,fp_0.50_0.50,q_35,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/db9095_542a4617f37646b4b8218e878b88dc6e~mv2.png)
![Autonomous Fire Suppression: The Complete Guide [2026]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/db9095_542a4617f37646b4b8218e878b88dc6e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_1200,h_901,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_avif,quality_auto/db9095_542a4617f37646b4b8218e878b88dc6e~mv2.png)
Autonomous Fire Suppression: The Complete Guide [2026]
What Is Autonomous Fire Suppression? Autonomous fire suppression is a category of fire protection technology that detects, locates, and extinguishes fires without human intervention. Unlike traditional systems that rely on heat-activated sprinkler heads or manual firefighting, autonomous systems use advanced sensors, intelligent software, and robotic hardware to identify a fire and respond to it — often within seconds of ignition. The concept isn't entirely new. For decades,
Ethan Pretsch
Mar 108 min read
The Future of Fire Suppression: cityCURRENT Podcast Feature
We're excited to share that our Founder and President, Ethan Pretsch, was recently featured on the cityCURRENT podcast with host Jeremy Park. The conversation covered the origins of WatchDog Robotics, the technology behind our autonomous fire suppression systems, and the growing shift toward intelligent fire protection across industries. Ethan and Jeremy explored how WatchDog Robotics is transforming fire safety through automation and precision targeting. Key topics included:
Ethan Pretsch
Feb 171 min read
Article Feature: Cowboy StateDaily
We at WatchDog Robotics are excited to have been featured in Cowboy StateDaily . The article, written by David Madison, features Watchdog Robotics' founder and president along with our startup story. The article covers the inspiration for starting the company, and where we are heading, bringing targeted fire suppression to industries across the United States. Read the full article below! Jackson Company Makes Robotic Water Turrets That Can Put Out Fires In 12 Seconds | Cowboy
zach8593
Jan 271 min read
From Last Resort to First Response: The Evolution of Fire Suppression in the Pulp and Paper Industry
This article explores the evolution of fire suppression in the pulp and paper industry, from traditional reactive systems like wet-pipe sprinklers to advanced autonomous and predictive technologies that integrate sensors, analytics, and robotics for earlier, targeted intervention. Key topics include the industry's inherent fire hazards—such as combustible dust, high-heat processes like Yankee dryers, and storage risks in chip piles and roll areas—the historical need for robus
Ethan Pretsch
Jan 95 min read
Welcome Zachary Klinke to the WatchDog Robotics Team
Zachary smiling while envisioning carving some fresh powder on the slopes. We’re excited to welcome Zachary Klinke to the WatchDog Robotics team as our new VP of Sales and Marketing. Zachary joins us from the logistics industry, where he built a reputation for delivering results through disciplined execution, and a sharp eye. That background is a great fit for WatchDog as we continue to grow and bring our targeted fire suppression to more customers. A proud Furman University
Ethan Pretsch
Jan 81 min read
InTents Magazine Feature: Decoded
In Decoded: Code changes impacting the industry (InTents Magazine), industry experts discuss how evolving requirements affect tent and temporary structure installations, especially where fire safety and permitting intersect. Our very own President, Ethan Pretsch, emphasizes that tent professionals “thrive when they pair code knowledge with professional relationships,” encouraging proactive engagement with the AHJ early in the process. He recommends reviewing plans with fire
Ethan Pretsch
Dec 29, 20251 min read
Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions: Battery Fires and Robotics
Summary: Waste, recycling plants, and transfer stations operate inside tall, high-volume buildings where ignition sources—especially lithium-ion batteries hidden in the stream, deep-seated heating in organic piles, volatile containers, and mobile-equipment sparks—can turn small incidents into costly multi-alarm fires. Because ceiling sprinklers are heat-activated, activation can be delayed by distance and stratification in these spaces. Meanwhile, publicly reported, catastrop
Ethan Pretsch
Sep 23, 20254 min read
In Remembrance of the 2,977
Today we remember and honor the 2,977 lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. We honor the innocent victims and the courage of the first responders and everyday heroes who ran toward danger to help others. May we never forget this tragedy, and may our Nation once again be United in the Spirit we showed in the days that followed. God Bless America.
Ethan Pretsch
Sep 11, 20251 min read
Smarter Hangars, Safer Assets: NozzleBot™ Brings Precision Suppression to Aviation Fire Safety
Smarter Fire Protection for Aviation Hangars Autonomous Suppression That Protects While Minimizing Disruption Protecting aircraft and aerospace assets from fire is a high-stakes challenge. Hangars house valuable, sometimes irreplaceable, equipment, and the complexity of these environments makes mistakes in fire detection and suppression exceptionally costly. Traditional suppression systems such as high-expansion foam and deluge sprinklers mandated by NFPA 409 play vital roles
Ethan Pretsch
Jul 7, 20254 min read
10 Leading Causes of Fire, & How to Reduce Risk
Fires devastate warehouses, factories, and job sites with devastating speed. In industrial and commercial settings, where high-value assets and complex operations converge, a single spark can trigger millions in losses—or worse, cost lives. Understanding the most significant fire risks—and how to mitigate them—is non-negotiable. Below are 10 leading ignition threats, backed by hard data. Arm yourself with knowledge to keep the flames at bay. 1. Electrical Failures & Overloads
Ethan Pretsch
May 20, 20255 min read
The Difference Between Fire Protection and Fire Suppression
Fire protection and fire suppression are not the same—and the difference is more than just semantics. As fire risks grow in complexity across industries, understanding this distinction has never been more important. While fire protection encompasses the broad framework of prevention, detection, and mitigation, suppression specifically addresses the act of extinguishing fires. Too often, these terms are used interchangeably, sometimes even deliberately, to position detection-o
Ethan Pretsch
May 8, 20253 min read
Are Roof Sprinklers & Foam Systems Best for Wildfire Defense?
Why WatchDog Robotics™ NozzleBot™ Outshines Permanent Roof Sprinkler Systems for Wildfire Protection Wildfires are a growing threat in many regions, fueled by land-use change, prolonged droughts, and shifting land management practices. For homeowners and business owners in these high-risk areas, protecting property from devastating ember attacks and encroaching flames is a top priority. Traditionally, many have turned to permanent roof-mounted sprinkler systems as a defense m
Ethan Pretsch
Apr 7, 20255 min read
Wildfires: A Force of Destruction and Renewal
Wildfires often bring to mind destruction—raging flames, blackened forests, and lost homes—but they’re also a natural and vital part of many ecosystems. They clear out dead plants, enrich the soil, and make room for new growth, helping trees like longleaf and lodgepole pines thrive, along with animals like wild turkeys, deer, and prairie-chickens that enjoy the fresh habitats fires leave behind. Yet, human actions have turned this balanced process into something far more dang
Ethan Pretsch
Apr 2, 20255 min read
Autonomous Firefighting: Why NozzleBot™ Outshines Virtual Firefighters
Fire protection tech is evolving fast, and robotic nozzles are leading the charge. But remote-controlled “virtual firefighters” are humans pulling strings—and that’s a problem in a real emergency. At WatchDog Robotics™ , our NozzleBot™ is fully autonomous, delivering instant, independent fire suppression. Here’s why that beats virtual every time. No Internet Needed Remote systems lean on Wi-Fi or cell service—connections that crash during wildfires, storms, or outages. Nozzl
Ethan Pretsch
Mar 11, 20251 min read
10 Reasons Why Autonomous Fire Suppression is Superior to Traditional Sprinklers
Rapid Extinguishment of Pallet Fire 1. Immediate Detection & Response : Traditional fire sprinklers can take 2-5 minutes to activate, and fire brigades take even longer. NozzleBot™ detects fires within 5-15 seconds using advanced thermal imaging and flame detection. 2. Targeted Suppression : Sprinklers disperse water widely, often missing the fire's core. NozzleBot™ delivers a surgical strike of water or foam directly to the fire's source, extinguishing it more effectively wh
Ethan Pretsch
Mar 4, 20252 min read
Your 24/7 Firefighter--Anytime, Anywhere
Fires often start when no one is around—late at night, during weekends, or in remote areas. These advanced robotic nozzles use a combination of IR3 (Triple Infrared) detectors and thermal video analytics to keep a constant watch, able to detect and tackle flames in 5-15 seconds. This “round-the-clock” coverage is crucial due to the exponential growth of fires—a few seconds’ delay can mean the difference between a small incident and total devastation. But it doesn’t stop there
Ethan Pretsch
Jan 30, 20252 min read
The Future of Firefighting
In the past several days, a new wave of wildfires has erupted across the Los Angeles area, bringing back all-too-familiar scenes of smoke-filled skies and tense evacuations. While many Angelenos are well-versed in fire safety, one aspect of current firefighting efforts deserves attention: the growing use of advanced technology to pinpoint and tackle hot spots. Firefighters on the ground are increasingly using drones to survey a fire’s perimeter in real time. This bird’s-eye v
Ethan Pretsch
Jan 21, 20251 min read
Personal Firefighters are Here--They're Just Not People
Fire safety is no longer confined to conventional alarms and sprinkler systems—or even human firefighters. Today, advanced robotics are stepping in to provide a higher level of protection. WatchDog Robotics’ NozzleBot™ precision fire suppression gives businesses and homeowners an always-on, always-ready guardian with its advanced detection and durable construction. The WatchDog Robotics' NozzleBot™ Interested in learning more about robotic nozzles and the future of personal f
Ethan Pretsch
Jan 14, 20253 min read
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