Statewide Camera Network and AI Advance Early Wildfire Detection Across California

Axis Communications supports a public safety initiative delivering real-time visual intelligence to emergency responders while enhancing environmental monitoring and disaster resilience

CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Axis Communications today announced its ongoing collaboration with the University of California San Diego's ALERTCalifornia – a statewide program helping advance wildfire detection and emergency response through AI, real-time intelligence, and a network of more than 1,200 cameras. Combining AI, advanced sensors, and camera technology, ALERTCalifornia’s tools help emergency managers identify emerging wildfire activity and provides public safety agencies with timely information to assess conditions and respond more effectively. As agencies seek greater visibility into wildfire-prone and remote areas, the program continues to expand coverage throughout California. In 2025, ALERTCalifornia supported response efforts for approximately 3,600 wildfire incidents, demonstrating the value of timely awareness in emergency situations.

In collaboration with CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, local and state agencies, utilities, businesses, and technology partners, ALERTCalifornia streams real-time visual intelligence, allowing agencies to detect smoke quickly and enhance fire response efforts. The ALERTCalifornia network integrates AI and advanced camera systems to provide continuous situational awareness across California. Axis camera technology supports the broader monitoring network, alerting emergency personnel when it detects potential fire activity.

“Over the past two decades, we've not only seen an increasing number of fires, but a significant increase in the size of those fires,” said Dr. Neal Driscoll, director of ALERTCalifornia and professor of geology and geophysics at UC San Diego. “The success of the ALERTCalifornia program is in the fires you never hear about. Deploying Axis cameras and other sensor technologies greatly improves our odds of containment and suppression.”

Real-Time Intelligence for Emergency Response

Working alongside Professional Telecommunications Services, ALERTCalifornia and Axis Communications have deployed more than 1,200 cameras across fire lookout towers, infrastructure, and observation sites statewide. As agencies seek greater visibility into remote and high-risk areas, the deployment has steadily expanded.

“We use ALERTCalifornia in all 21 of our Emergency Command Centers,” said Phillip SeLegue, Intel Program Staff Chief at CAL FIRE. “In 2025, the system alerted us to 3,600 fires. Over 50% of the time, we received alerts before any 9-1-1 reports came in. That means we no longer have to wait for a human to identify potential fire activity. The cameras we have in place can detect early warning signs and send an alert immediately.”

With real-time visual confirmation of emerging incidents, ALERTCalifornia enables emergency responders to rapidly verify threats, deploy resources, and make critical decisions as events unfold. As a result, the platform stands as a vital asset for agencies across California, driving both wildfire suppression and broader emergency management operations.

Supporting resilience beyond wildfire detection

While wildfire detection remains ALERTCalifornia’s primary mission, the system also supports storm and flood monitoring, debris-flow assessment, and environmental observation. Agencies use its imagery to monitor vegetation, evaluate risk, and understand changing conditions statewide. Public access also remains a key component of the initiative. Through the ALERTCalifornia website, residents, researchers, pilots, outdoor enthusiasts, and community members can view live camera feeds and gain greater awareness of conditions across California.

As environmental threats evolve, ALERTCalifornia exemplifies how agency, researcher, and technology collaboration enhances community preparedness, strengthens response efforts, and builds long-term resilience.

“UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia has become a model for how researchers, public agencies, and industry partners can work together to address complex public safety challenges,” said Joe Morgan, Segment Development Manager, Critical Infrastructure, Axis Communications. “We're proud to support the ALERTCalifornia team and its mission by providing technology that helps deliver timely, reliable visual information to emergency responders and communities across California. Together, we're helping strengthen situational awareness not only for wildfire detection, but also for broader environmental monitoring and resilience efforts.”

To learn more about how ALERTCalifornia and Axis Communications are helping support wildfire detection and emergency response through real-time visual intelligence and advanced camera technology, read the full customer story at https://www.axis.com/en-us/customer-story/alert-ptz-wildfire-detection.

FAQs:

What is ALERTCalifornia?

• ALERTCalifornia is a public safety program based at the University of California San Diego that uses cameras, AI, and other advanced technologies to help emergency responders monitor environmental conditions and detect fires earlier.

How does ALERTCalifornia help firefighters?

• The system provides real-time visual intelligence that helps emergency personnel identify potential fires, verify incidents, deploy resources, and monitor active events as they develop.

How many cameras are deployed throughout California?

• ALERTCalifornia operates a network of more than 1,200 cameras installed across fire lookout towers, communications infrastructure, and observation sites throughout the state.

Who uses ALERTCalifornia?

• The platform is used by CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, local fire agencies, emergency management organizations, utilities, researchers, other public-sector partners, and the public at large.

Does ALERTCalifornia support more than wildfire detection?

• Yes. In addition to wildfire monitoring, the system supports storm and flood monitoring, debris-flow assessment, environmental observation, wildfire prevention efforts, and other public safety applications.

About Axis Communications

Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training. Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden.