Cal Fire, the firefighting agency in California, has embraced the power of AI in its ongoing battle against wildfires.

 

Captain Chris Africa, stationed at the Cal Fire Emergency Command Center in Grass Valley, is at the forefront of this technological revolution. The newly installed wildfire cameras, driven by AI algorithms, generate real-time alerts whenever smoke is detected. 

 

Africa explained, “These cameras are all auto-generated and have all moved based off AI indicators.” The dispatch monitors now prominently display a red box whenever the cameras identify smoke, which Africa referred to as “signatures.”

 

By clicking on the Raw AI option, he can access a comprehensive view of cameras currently detecting these signatures, indicating the potential presence of smoke or other anomalies the camera system perceives.

 

In addition to visual detection, computers equipped with cutting-edge technology are helping predict the trajectory of wildfires by considering various factors such as topography and wind speeds. 

Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Krussow, based at the Grass Valley Air Attack Base, relies on computer models accessible via his smartphone. This information provides real-time updates on the fire’s location and projected path, revolutionizing how firefighting operations are coordinated. 

Read the full article at: www.techtimes.com