California Firefighters Employ AI to Combat Forest Fires

In California, USA, firefighters are implementing a new monitoring system based on artificial intelligence to combat forest fires. This state consistently grapples with thousands of fires that engulf hundreds of thousands of hectares of land. Over the past decade, these natural disasters have resulted in over 200 fatalities and significant damage to homes and businesses, as reported by France 24.

Previously, firefighters had at their disposal a network of over 1,000 cameras designed to track potential fire zones. Starting from June 2023, the ALERTCalifornia system utilizes computers equipped with artificial intelligence to detect plumes of smoke through these cameras, which may indicate a potential fire.

When the computer identifies smoke, a small red rectangle appears on the screen along with a reliability percentage (e.g., "fire with an 80% likelihood"), allowing the operator to assess the situation. Subsequently, the operator must confirm the potential threat and take necessary actions to eliminate any misunderstandings.

Currently, artificial intelligence can mistakenly identify dust kicked up by tractors, insects in front of the camera, or even fog as potential fire hazards.

However, thanks to the new monitoring system that employs artificial intelligence for threat detection, firefighters can extinguish flames long before they spiral out of control, and such incidents have already occurred.

Computers reviewing live feeds from Cleveland National Forest noticed signs that their algorithm had learned to recognize smoke plumes. Human operators verified the machines' actions and promptly alerted the town of Yorrie, whose firefighters quickly contained the fire.

"The fire's area was less than a quarter of an acre. If AI hadn't alerted us to it, it could have grown much larger and become a truly devastating blaze," said Captain Chris Gourie of the California Fire Department.

Every year in California, thousands of fires consume hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of acres. Over the past decade, these fires have claimed over 200 lives, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, and caused billions of dollars in damages.

"Our measure of success is fires you've never heard of. We preempt 911 calls in roughly 40% of cases. And it's only going to get better," says Neil Driscoll, who leads the project at the University of California, San Diego.

The use of artificial intelligence means that every firefighter, who monitors dozens of information channels, now has an assisting hand.