Across the United States, fire departments are increasingly turning to AI-powered cameras for faster, more precise wildfire detection. In Aspen, Colorado, what used to be a seasonal challenge has become a year‑round reality, prompting local officials to adopt this smart technology.
In Aspen, strategically placed rotating cameras offer a full 360‑degree view of the landscape, scanning continuously for any hint of smoke. When the system picks up a potential fire, a human reviewer checks the alert before detailed location information is sent to the Aspen Fire Department. Arvind Satyam, co‑founder and chief commercial officer of Pano AI, explains that their smoke detection algorithm carefully analyses images to confirm the presence of smoke. The cameras also integrate satellite views and weather overlays, helping assess wind speeds and humidity in real time.
This approach has a tangible impact on emergency response. With the system’s accurate data, fire crews can reach a site within five minutes—a speed that was hard to achieve before. Whether tracking heat signatures at night or monitoring lingering hot spots for days after a blaze, the technology offers firefighters a mobile map that boosts situational awareness during critical calls.
The benefits of this system are already evident. During the Sunnyside Prescribed Fire—a controlled burn covering 900 acres on Red Mountain’s southern face—Pano AI’s cameras played a key role in keeping the fire from spreading beyond its intended boundaries. Now active in ten states, this technology enables multiple agencies to share alerts and coordinate responses with ease.
Ali Hammond, Aspen Fire’s director of community wildfire resistance, puts it plainly: tools like this aren’t just nifty add-ons—they’re essential for understanding on‑the‑ground conditions in challenging terrain. By integrating AI into wildfire detection, fire departments are making significant strides in both safety and efficiency.
