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AI Cameras Help Detect Wildfires Before They Spread
NorthWestern Energy’s Wildfire Situational Awareness team has added another tool to its arsenal: an AI-driven smoke detection camera platform. By the end of 2024, 10 cameras will be deployed across our Montana service territory.
So, what do these cameras do? They detect smoke and can alert emergency management personnel within minutes, enabling quicker responses that help contain fires and protect communities.
The cameras are mounted to provide full 360-degree view range while continuously scanning 24/7. When the system detects smoke, the artificial intelligence software can distinguish between false alarms — like dust from a truck on a gravel road — and genuine fire threats. A human dispatcher verifies the detection before alerting the local fire officials and NorthWestern Energy’s team to the fire’s location.
“One camera, located on McDonald Pass outside of Helena, covers nearly 400 miles of our overhead electric grid,” said Shane Colman, Manager of Wildfire Situational Awareness. “We will continue adding cameras to improve visibility of our lines, giving us more tools to make fast, informed decisions.”
The cameras, which can be livestreamed online by the public and partnering agencies, allow for faster fire detection and response, which can reduce fire size, save lives and property, and lower the cost of firefighting efforts.
One partnering agency is Jefferson County.
“This is a great partnership,” said Doug Dodge, Jefferson County Emergency Manager. “These cameras act as a force multiplier, providing visibility into fires we might not have known about until someone called 911.”
Eventually, Jefferson County’s dispatchers will have the camera dashboard displayed, allowing them to pinpoint fires more accurately and provide detailed information to first responders.
“It’s critical for us to know what we’re facing,” Doug explained. “This technology helps us catch smoke columns early, enabling a faster response and allowing us to better assess risks to residents in the area.”
