California’s Alert California program, developed in collaboration with the University of California San Diego, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect wildfires. The program analyzes feeds from 1,032 rotating cameras and utilizes AI to identify abnormalities within the camera feeds. Once a potential blaze is detected, emergency services and other authorities are promptly notified. Since its launch in July, the program has already helped extinguish at least one potential wildfire in the Cleveland National Forest.
The technology behind Alert California incorporates LiDAR scans taken from airplanes and drones, enabling the creation of three-dimensional information about scanned surfaces. By combining this data with the physical traits of tree species, the program gains valuable insights into California’s forest biomass and carbon content. In addition, Alert California leverages the petabytes of data from the cameras to differentiate between smoke and other airborne particles.
The program was developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego using AI from DigitalPath, a California-based company. Over the past four years, Cal Fire has invested more than $20 million in the program and plans to provide an additional investment of $3,516,000 in the near future.
Neal Driscoll, a geology and geophysics professor at UCSD and the program’s principal investigator, emphasized the importance of technology in addressing the challenges posed by extreme climate conditions. Driscoll stated, We need to use technology to help move the needle, even if it’s a little bit. However, he also noted that the current sample size is too small to determine the overall effectiveness of the program.
To provide transparency and accessibility, Alert California’s website displays a grid of live camera views from across the region. This camera quilt allows users to monitor the remotely operated cameras via their computer or mobile device.
The integration of AI technology in the Alert California program represents a significant step towards combatting wildfires in the state. With its ability to swiftly detect potential blazes and notify authorities, the program has already proven its effectiveness in preventing dangerous fires. By leveraging AI and data analysis, California is enhancing its ability to respond to and mitigate wildfires, highlighting the potential of technology in addressing the consequences of climate change.
