AI for Fire Detection? Yes!

At a recent Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG) board meeting SOREDI attended, Nick Maggio, PhD, presented the ALERTWest Wildfire Cameras, owned and operated by Oregon Hazards Lab (OHAZ) of the University of Oregon for which Nick is the Associate Director. The State of Washington is included in OHAZ’s area. California’s ALERT system is from UC San Diego and Nevada’s Seizmological Lab is out of the University of Nevada, Reno. The cameras are also owned and operated by these university systems, including the supporting cyberinfrastructures.

What originally started as a seismic monitoring only project has grown to incorporate wildfire monitoring and other hazards. After the 2020 fires, a FEMA Hazards Mitigation Grant was made available, allowing for the implementation of 12 AI cameras specifically for Southern Oregon wildfire mitigation. Four of these cameras reside in Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, and Phoenix. The additional eight sites are planned to be completed by September 2027.

ALERTWest software integrates with the university system, using AI to evaluate and locate anomalies. When AI detects an anomaly, staff review and confirm what was detected, notifying emergency response if warranted. There are full-time staff working 24/7 reviewing the data.

The public has access to these cameras via the ALERTWest website – Live/timelapse and panoramic views refresh every 10 seconds and two minutes respectively.

Follow OHAZ on Instagram | X | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube

Thank you to ALERTWest, OHAZ, U of O, UC San Diego, and U of Nevada, Reno, for these extraordinary tools. It is reassuring to know that there is round the clock fire watch happening right here, right now in Southern Oregon.