Wildfires can spread very fast, especially during hot and dry seasons. To stop them early, Idaho is now using a smart solution—Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Smart Eyes in the Sky Detect Wildfires Early
Instead of only depending on people to watch for fires, fire crews are turning to AI-powered cameras. These cameras act like high-tech eyes in the sky, always watching and alerting teams when something looks wrong.
Around 25 to 30 of these special cameras are already in place across Idaho. Most of them are in North Idaho, where there are thick forests and a higher risk of fires. The cameras keep turning around slowly, checking the entire horizon for any sign of smoke. They do not sleep or take breaks, which helps catch fires even in remote areas where people may not be watching.
Just a few weeks ago, these AI cameras spotted several small fires that could have gone unnoticed for a day or two. Because of early alerts, crews responded within minutes. This quick action helped stop the fires from getting bigger and more dangerous.
How the AI Cameras Work
These wildfires cameras are built with smart technology. They can turn in a full circle—360 degrees—and scan huge areas of land. While the camera moves, the AI system looks at every image it captures. It is trained to detect smoke, even from far away. When it finds smoke, it sends an alert right away to fire dispatchers and nearby fire teams.
This fast alert means that teams don’t have to wait for someone to call in and report a fire. Instead, the camera does the watching and reporting all on its own. Once the alert goes out, firefighters can head straight to the fire’s location. This can happen within minutes, not hours.
Earlier, a fire could burn for six or seven hours before someone even noticed. But now, thanks to AI detection, crews can be on the scene in a very short time. That makes a big difference in how much damage the fire causes.
Fewer False Alarms
At first, the cameras sometimes made mistakes. They would see clouds or dust and think it was smoke. But the AI is learning quickly. Over time, it has gotten better at telling the difference between real smoke and false alarms.
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Now, the alerts that come through are much more accurate. That means fire crews waste less time chasing smoke that isn’t really a fire. Instead, they focus on real threats. This gives them more time and resources to put out fires while they are still small and manageable.
Smaller fires are not only easier to stop—they’re also safer for firefighters and cheaper to control. Quick responses also help keep more of Idaho’s forests safe and green.
More Cameras on the Wildfires
The Idaho Department of Lands is not stopping here. They have plans to set up 15 more AI-powered wildfire cameras this year. Each camera will cover a new area and help guard against fire outbreaks.
Even better, the camera feeds are open to the public. Anyone can go online and see what the cameras are seeing. This makes people more aware of wildfire risks and adds another layer of safety.
Thanks to this powerful AI system, Idaho’s fire teams are working faster and smarter. Every second counts in wildfire season, and these smart cameras are helping save time, forests, and lives.
