AI cameras are spotting wildfires across California often before humans call 911

"For generations, fire lookout towers stood as landmarks across the American West. Binoculars in hand, dedicated fire spotters scanned the landscape for smoke and radioed firefighters before flames grew out of control. But now, as California enters what is historically the most dangerous part of fire season the end of summer before the first major rains lone human sentries have largely given way to a new type of fire lookout on mountain tops: High-tech cameras."

"Each can see 60 miles away on a clear day, and with near-infrared technology, gaze out 120 miles on a clear night. Built on towers, observatories and buildings, the cameras are part of a system called ALERTCalifornia. They turn 360 degrees every 2 minutes, taking 12 photos with each pass, 24 hours a day. Upgraded with artificial intelligence software two years ago, they can pan, tilt, zoom, detect smoke and alert fire dispatchers automatically sometimes before humans call 911."

"Since 2019, the number of cameras has more than doubled. The AI lookouts are now on top of many of California's most prominent peaks, including Mount Hamilton, Mount Diablo and Mount Tamalpais in the Bay Area, Martis Peak at Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain in the Sierra, and the slopes of Mount Shasta. The cameras have been used to monitor atmospheric river storms, the recovery of California condors, even a tsunami warning along California's coast in July after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Rus"

California operates a network of 1,211 cameras on peaks and hilltops called ALERTCalifornia, funded and overseen by Cal Fire. Cameras rotate 360 degrees every two minutes, taking 12 photos per pass and operating continuously. Upgraded with artificial intelligence, the cameras pan, tilt, zoom, detect smoke and automatically alert fire dispatchers, sometimes before human reports. Each camera can see up to 60 miles by day and up to 120 miles at night with near-infrared. The system expanded rapidly since 2019 and sits atop many prominent peaks. Cameras also monitor storms, wildlife recovery and coastal tsunami warnings.

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