Combining AI, advanced sensors, and camera technology, Alert California’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 programme continues to expand coverage throughout California. In 2025, Alert California 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, Alert California streams real-time visual intelligence, allowing agencies to detect smoke quickly and enhance fire response efforts. The Alert California 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 Alert California and professor of geology and geophysics at UC San Diego. “The success of the Alert California programme 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, Alert California 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 Alert California 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, Alert California 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 Alert California’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 Alert California 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, Alert California exemplifies how agency, researcher, and technology collaboration enhances community preparedness, strengthens response efforts, and builds long-term resilience.

“UC San Diego's Alert California 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 Alert California 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.”