Unveiling California's Cutting-Edge AI Solution for Preventing Catastrophic Wildfires

Firefighters are seeking any advantage possible to extinguish a fire before it escalates into a massive inferno. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has introduced a cutting-edge solution to combat wildfires before they intensify - artificial intelligence. Cal Fires staff chief for fire intelligence, Phillip SeLegue, affirmed that this new technology is a game changer, significantly improving their ability to assess the situation and promptly respond.

In the heart of the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County, a fire ignited during the late hours of a July night. With no fire officials present, an AI system detected the situation and promptly informed the authorities.

"The fire had gone unnoticed by the dispatch center," revealed Scott Slumpff, battalion chief of the intel program at Cal Fire. At the time, Slumpff was conducting a trial of the cutting-edge technology and was the first to receive the alert.

Cal Fire, in collaboration with Alert California program from the University of California at San Diego, is utilizing advanced technology to detect wildfires at an early stage. This effort is made possible through the utilization of a network of over 1,000 cameras spread throughout the state.

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Slumpff provided a description of the camera's actions, mentioning that it completed a full rotation of 360 degrees, detected an abnormality, paused, and then zoomed in. After identifying the anomaly as a fire, Slumpff promptly mobilized the necessary resources. He stated that they were successful in containing the fire to a small area measuring 10 by 10 feet, located in the heart of the forest.

"The following day, the fire held great importance despite the absence of AI detection," SeLegue remarked.

Positioned strategically atop mountain peaks for a broader perspective, the cameras vigilantly survey their environment through 2-minute intervals. They rely on AI technology to swiftly identify and mark any alterations, denoting them with a conspicuous red rectangular box displayed on the screen.

"When an anomaly is detected by the camera system, which indicates a variation from the previous image, it is immediately flagged," explained Dean Veik, who serves as a liaison for Alert California and has a background in firefighting. "Primarily, it is searching for the presence of smoke."

The cameras have been in use by Cal Fire for several years to monitor the occurrence of fires. Additionally, they are available to the public, allowing anyone to observe real-time weather conditions or catch sight of intriguing wildlife, such as a bald eagle perched on the tower."

Cal Fire maintains vigilance over the video streams, closely observing any signs of smoke to ensure heightened "situational awareness" regarding the fire's trajectory and potential impact on vital infrastructure. SeLegue further mentioned that law enforcement agencies also leverage this technology to potentially identify individuals suspected of being involved in arson-related activities.

A closeup look at two of UC San Diego Alert California's cameras on a communications tower at Boucher Hill lookout.

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Perched high up on a lookout tower in San Diego County, Phillip SeLegue, the fire intelligence staff chief at Cal Fire, affirms that while AI won't supplant these towers, it will certainly bolster and elevate the efficacy of fire suppression endeavors.

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The pilot program was so successful, Cal Fire expanded the technology at the beginning of September to all 21 of its dispatch centers across the state.

"Our agency's objective is to limit 95% of our fires to 10 acres or less. This tool significantly enhances our ability to effectively manage fires in their initial stage," stated SeLegue. He further mentioned that the cameras have a range of approximately 70 miles during the day and 110 miles at night. "We have successfully detected and suppressed numerous fires at night before a 911 call had even reached the command centers."

According to Cal Fire, AI has identified 40% of fires since July 10 before receiving a 911 call, and the technology is constantly evolving and becoming more proficient.

"According to Brian Norton, a former firefighter with Alert California, the system is actively scanning for upcoming changes. These variations could include smoke arising from a wildfire or innocuous elements like mist or dust. The challenge lies in training the AI to accurately differentiate between them."

"The learning aspect arises when humans intervene to distinguish between what appears to be smoke and what is actually dust," Norton explained to CNN. "Subsequently, the camera becomes less inclined to identify similar instances as smoke the next time it detects them."

Bill Angel, a volunteer with the Forest Fire Lookout Association, watches for nascent wildfires.

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With the aid of AI, dispatch center personnel no longer have to tirelessly monitor countless video feeds in search of a specific target, as they used to do in the past. The constant strain on the eyes, commonly known as "eye fatigue," has been a constant worry as they scanned potentially hundreds of feeds simultaneously. Instead, AI enables them to dedicate their time to examining the abnormalities that the technology has identified.

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Throughout the state, there are lookout towers manned by fire personnel or volunteers. In San Diego County, at Boucher Hill lookout tower, volunteer Bill Angel from the Forest Fire Lookout Association has been diligently monitoring for wildfires during his second season. Positioned just a few yards away from the surveillance cameras on a communications tower, Bill relies on AI technology to aid his fire detection efforts, although human presence is still crucial. As he vigilantly scans the expansive valley below, he occasionally brings his binoculars to his eyes, recognizing that in the event of a lightning strike disabling the technology, his watchful presence remains indispensable.

The firefighters unanimously agree that this new technology is truly making a positive impact and will not pose a threat to human employment. "There is no substitute for our physical presence," Slumpff emphasized. "I firmly believe that we have the ability to save lives and protect property."

"The fires you dont hear about in the news is the greatest success," SeLegue said.