AI Camera Spots Arizona Fire Early, Limits to 7 Acres

In Arizona's Coconino National Forest, an artificial intelligence system spotted early signs of smoke on a camera feed one afternoon in March, enabling firefighters to contain the Diamond Fire to less than 7 acres before it could spread.

The detection came from one of nearly 40 AI-enabled cameras operated by Arizona Public Service, the state's largest electric utility. Human analysts quickly verified the alert was not a cloud or dust and notified the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Crews raced to the scene and suppressed the blaze promptly.

As record heat and low snowpack heighten wildfire risks across the fire-prone West, utilities and fire agencies are expanding AI smoke-detection networks. Arizona Public Service plans to deploy 71 cameras by the end of summer, while the state fire agency operates seven. In Colorado, Xcel Energy has installed 126 cameras and aims to cover seven of the eight states it serves by year's end.

"Earlier detection means we can launch aircraft and personnel to it and keep those fires as small as we can," said John Truett, fire management officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.