Xcel Energy Using AI Technology to Detect Wildfires in Texas Panhandle

Plans include more than 50 camera stations in nearly a dozen counties

AMARILLO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xcel Energy is increasing its wildfire detection and mitigation efforts in the Texas Panhandle by introducing artificial intelligence to spot fires early. We are partnering with Pano AI to install more than 50 camera stations across the region. Carson, Gray, Roberts, Hutchinson, Wheeler, Hemphill, Garza, Cochran, Moore, Potter and Yoakum counties are currently being considered. First responders and firefighters will have immediate access to this data, shortening response times.

“We want to better safeguard our neighbors and reduce the risk of future wildfire loss by investing in advanced wildfire detection capabilities,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – New Mexico, Texas. “So many of our friends, families and communities have been impacted by the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and we remain committed to supporting them. Providing this technology to our first responders with the information they need to act swiftly and safely to respond to wildfires will improve public safety.”

The company is currently identifying strategic locations for the initial camera stations in areas with the highest fire risk, which will be complete in 2025. This is a five-year program and underscores Xcel Energy’s commitment to protecting our communities, fortifying grid resilience, and providing situational awareness for first responders in Amarillo and surrounding areas.

Pano AI’s system combines 360-degree high-definition cameras, AI-driven smoke detection and satellite data integration to continuously scan for smoke. When a potential fire is detected, Pano immediately verifies it through human analysts, triangulates the location and notifies the 911 call center to activate the closest fire department. Fire departments will have access to these live streams for critical, real-time intelligence.

“Early detection of wildfires is critical, especially in high-risk areas like the Texas Panhandle,” said Arvind Satyam, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Pano AI. “We are proud to support Xcel Energy’s commitment to community safety and resilience through cutting-edge technology that empowers first responders with the real-time information and enhanced situational awareness they need to act decisively.”

Each Texas camera station will perform a 360-degree sweep every minute. This initiative builds on Xcel Energy’s existing measures, including power line inspections, vegetation management and aerial surveillance.

The company plans to install more cameras in Texas and expand the program into our New Mexico service territory in the future. As camera stations are added and their reach overlaps, their accuracy will improve, helping firefighters respond more quickly.

These efforts follow Xcel Energy’s successful deployment of Pano AI camera stations in Colorado. Our comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy also includes collaborations with other technology providers and thorough equipment inspections, reinforcing our commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and infrastructure.

We are one of the most reliable energy companies in the industry and we are taking proactive steps to safely meet the needs of our growing region. Xcel Energy is building the energy grid of the future by following our investment plan to modernize and harden our grid for increased resilience. While we make these investments, we will work efficiently to provide energy to our customers and keep their bills as low as possible.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.

About Pano AI:

Pano AI is the leading AI-driven solution for active wildfire detection. The fully integrated solution combines ultra-high-definition cameras, wireless connectivity, satellite feeds, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based software to provide its customers and partners with real-time actionable intelligence and situational awareness to coordinate an informed rapid response to wildfires before they escalate. Governments, utilities, private landowners, and fire agencies use Pano's technology and services in 16 states or provinces throughout the U.S., Australia and British Columbia, Canada. It covers over 20 million acres of land, helping better safeguard infrastructure, communities, and lives against catastrophic fire incidents. To learn more, visit www.pano.ai or follow the company on LinkedIn.