AI wildfire detection system rolls out across California to speed up fire alerts

California is implementing an AI system using mountaintop cameras to detect wildfires and alert firefighters faster.
In early tests, the AI detected smoke and alerted firefighters before 911 calls 40% of the time.
The AI still requires human verification and is limited by the camera network's visibility.
Engineers are training the AI to avoid false alerts from fog or steam.
The statewide rollout starts in September with the goal of preventing small fires from becoming large blazes.