Fifty sensors that use artificial intelligence to detect wildland fires have been installed in parts of the peninsula, the result of a collaboration between the Saratoga-based FireSafe Council, Stanford University and other local authorities.
The sensors have been installed in wild urban interface areas – the space between wildlife and human habitat – in Woodside, Portola Valley and unincorporated parts of San Mateo County. The sensors can alert emergency personnel of budding fires in real time and can track the movement of fire and smoke in addition to air quality.
“This is the culmination of a multi-month process to leverage a unique program from the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate and N5 sensors,” FireSafe Council CEO Seth Schalet said in a press release.
Although the Peninsula is the latest region to install AI-powered sensors, other parts of the Bay Area have already used them. Parts of Santa Clara County and Oakland have installed the sensors over the past year.
The sensors are powered by solar energy and use artificial intelligence to analyze gas, particles and heat to help detect fires.
“Wildfire knows no boundaries,” Palo Alto Fire Chief Geo Blackshire said in a news release. “Our community risk reduction efforts are more effective when we partner with neighboring jurisdictions to ensure safe communities.
“Early detection is critical to saving lives, property and protecting the environment from the risks of wildfires.”