2018 is on-track to be another historic year for wildfires. To help prevent losses, QBE is informing customers about emerging technologies that could help protect their home or business, and promote early detection of a wildfire. (Photo: Shutterstock)

After a record-breaking year for wildfire losses in 2017, the 2018 season hasn't provided much relief. August saw the largest wildfire in California's history, and climate experts warn the frequency and severity of these events is only likely to worsen. Traditional safety practices should always be the first mode of wildfire defense, but emerging technologies are accelerating the early detection of wildfires and in turn, helping to prevent physical and economic losses. Related: Protecting your business operations and people from wildfires QBE North America's vice president of Loss Control, Mark McCormick, is informing customers about five technologies residents of potential wildfire zones should consider to help protect their home or small business, detailed in the slideshow below. McCormick stresses the importance of early detection in preventing wildfire losses and in containing the fire. These technologies offer both residents and emergency response personnel tools that could help detect a wildfire earlier, which would minimize the damage and help save lives. Some of these new tools are designed to strictly protect structures like homes, businesses, and vehicles. Learn about these five emerging wildfire technologies in the slideshow below. Related: Wildfires are burning three times more of California to date than in 2017