Overview

• 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.