STEVENS COUNTY, Wash. — Firefighters are using artificial intelligence to help detect wildfires across our region and now you can view the same camera feeds to check your area.
For the last few years, Department of Natural Resources has been using cameras with AI to monitor wildfires and help fire crews stay ahead of the flames.
Lightning strikes are a major cause of wildfires, especially in remote areas.
“The higher altitudes attract those lightning strikes,” said Fire Chief Mike Bucy of Stevens County Fire Protection District 1. ” So, it’s a lot harder for us to get to, which takes up a lot of time and staffing.”
DNR said the cameras make it significantly easier to detect wildfires.
“These cameras allow us to have better eyes on those fires when they start and find them right away,” said Ryan Rodruck of WADNR.
The cameras use a specialized type of AI designed to detect smoke and differentiate between weather conditions and a wildfire.
The photo below is a hazy skyline, with no wildfire.
The photos below uses the specialized AI to mark a plume of wildfire smoke with an orange triangle.
“We can look at it even before we leave the station to determine more specifically where it’s at and the intensity of the fire as well,” Chief Bucy said.
Although the cameras have been in use for a while, they were only recently made available to the public. You can view DNR’s camera feeds by clicking HERE.
DNR said that, even though lighting increases the chance for wildfire, most wildfires are still started by humans.
“Help keep those sparks off the landscape. You’re not only helping yourself and your neighbor, but you’re also helping keep our firefighters safe,” Rodruck said.
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