AI cameras prevented large wildfire, utilities say

Remote utility cameras powered by artificial intelligence helped identify the early makings of a wildfire before it spread in Colorado.

Cameras installed by Xcel Energy and CORE Electric Cooperative detected wildfire smoke caused by a lightning strike on June 16. Within 30 minutes of the identification, emergency services dispatched two helicopters to the fire when it was .25 acres. The helicopters dropped 17,765 gallons of water on the fire over the next six hours, limiting the wildfire to three acres.

The utilities said their wildfire camera system, provided by Pano AI, identified the wildfire “simultaneously” with the U.S. Forest Service.

“This fire had the potential to be highly destructive,” CORE Electric interim CEO Pam Feuerstein said. “Our investment in this technology is part of our wildfire mitigation strategy to ensure fast and accurate responses and help keep our communities and environment safe. The Pano AI cameras’ rapid detection and precise location were crucial in containing the Bear Creek Fire.”

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Pano AI cameras provide remote, 360-degree views and use AI to detect smoke plumes within minutes of a fire starting. Fire notifications are sent to CORE and local fire agencies, providing critical information, including precision triangulation, to give emergency responders a specific location. Pano AI also has partnerships with Portland General Electric, Austin Energy, and Holy Cross Energy.

CORE Electric has installed six advanced wildfire cameras, while Xcel has 28 in its Colorado service territory. Xcel plans to activate an additional 14 cameras by the end of the year. Hawaiian Electric recently announced that it will deploy publicly accessible AI cameras at 78 locations through a partnership with ALERTWest.

The successful response likely comes as welcomed news to Xcel, which has faced pressure over its wildfire activities and plans.

Earlier this year, Xcel acknowledged its role in the Smokehouse Creek Fire which burned more than 1 million acres. Xcel said a fallen utility pole appeared to have been involved in the ignition of the wildfire, which was the largest in Texas history. The utility, however, denied accusations of negligence.

Xcel also faced pushback for preventative wildfire efforts. The utility shut off power to 55,000 customers in Colorado during a 96 mph windstorm in April, leading to calls for reform from the governor due to some outages persisting for days.

Xcel’s pending wildfire mitigation plan includes accelerated vegetation management, a refined power shutoff program, and a multi-year effort to replace or upgrade equipment and underground targeted power lines.

Originally published by John Engel on power-grid.com