California\u2019s strategy of combining traditional firefighting resources with new data technologies includes a network of 1,260 AlertCalifornia mountaintop cameras, 915 of which are now AI-enabled to automatically detect smoke and alert dispatch centers before 911 calls are received. Cal FIRE director Joe Tyler said another 200 cameras will be added this year. The agency is also expanding its use of drones for fire mapping, prescribed burns and tactical operations while incorporating lidar data to better assess vegetation and fuel conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cCal FIRE is leaning in and taking advantage of the power of technology that best supports our firefighting efforts,\u201d Tyler told reporters. \u201cAs the technology advances, it\u2019s important that we continue to advance with that technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the state\u2019s network of cameras, Tyler noted the agency\u2019s plans to integrate data from four FireSat satellites now in orbit after three additional spacecraft<\/a> this month launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, along the state\u2019s central coast.<\/p>\n Cal FIRE joined Earth Fire Alliance\u2019s FireSat early adopter program in 2025, giving the agency access to a new constellation of satellites capable of detecting wildfires as small as 5-by-5 meters. Once fully deployed, FireSat is expected to provide updated imagery roughly every 20 minutes, significantly improving on existing satellite monitoring.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll become part of a constellation of satellites that will do early detection, utilizing all the features of remote sensing, both mountaintop cameras, fixed-wing aircraft, and satellite technology to really detect new heat images across across California,\u201d Tyler said.<\/p>\n During the press conference, Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said the state\u2019s technology also allows emergency managers to anticipate wildfire threats before an ignition occurs. Through the state\u2019s Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center,<\/a> or WIFTIC, officials combine weather data, fuel conditions, lightning forecasts and fire behavior models to identify areas at elevated risk.<\/p>\n \u201cTechnology gives us the power to prepare earlier, to respond faster, and make better decisions when every second counts,\u201d Jacobs said.<\/p>\n The intelligence produced by WIFTIC feeds into a statewide pre-positioning system that helps agencies move firefighters and equipment ahead of dangerous weather conditions. Jacobs said Cal OES has already this year approved pre-positioning requests for 20 counties, involving more than 1,400 personnel and 213 pieces of equipment.<\/p>\n
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