California turns to IoT sensing tech for wildfires

California’s firefighters are using IoT and AI tech to help fight wildfires this summer, as cities face increased instances of fires as temperatures soar.

The tech is being provided by ALERTCalifornia AI, a program developed by engineers at the University of San Diego that uses a sensor and AI system from DigitalPath, a company based in Chico, California.

The ALERT platform uses 1,032 cameras to monitor for signs of danger. The AI system analyzes these data feeds and alerts firefighters when to mobilize. The system had to be trained to differentiate between smoke from a fire and benign phenomena, such as clouds, dust and even exhaust fumes from vehicles.

According to the team, the cameras use near-infrared night vision and can provide sharp visuals from up to 60 miles away on a clear day and 120 miles on a clear night.

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