The new Arizona AI wildfire detection cameras can spot smoke from up to 10 miles away and distinguish it from fog or dust.
Arizona Public Service (APS) has installed new artificial intelligence cameras that watch for wildfires around the clock. The Arizona AI wildfire detection system scans high-risk areas and quickly alerts fire experts when smoke or heat is detected. APS is sharing these camera feeds with firefighters to help them respond faster to fires.
“The new AI cameras act as powerful extra sets of eyes. When minutes matter, early fire detection provides real-time information so firefighters can respond faster,” said Scott Bordenkircher, who leads forestry and fire mitigation at APS.
The company has spent the last decade working on ways to prevent wildfires. They partner with federal land managers, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, and local fire departments to keep energy flowing safely to customers.
Tom Torres, Director of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, praised the Arizona AI wildfire detection technology. He said his department will use the camera feeds to better understand fire situations and get timely information to firefighters on the ground.
By this summer, APS will have more than 30 AI cameras set up across Arizona. They’ll be in Flagstaff, Payson, Prescott, Sedona, north Phoenix, and southeastern Arizona.
The cameras come from a company called Pano AI. The Arizona AI wildfire detection cameras can spot smoke up to 10 miles away and can tell the difference between smoke and things like fog or dust. The system also connects to satellite data to show how big a fire is and where it’s located.
The cameras provide a continuous live stream with ultra-high-definition video. They can turn a full 360 degrees and zoom in on specific areas where smoke might be spotted.
“Arizona faces a growing threat from wildfires, and early detection is critical to protecting communities and infrastructure,” said Arvind Satyam, who helped start Pano AI.
The Arizona AI wildfire detection system has already proven useful in recent months. In December 2024, an AI camera in Payson spotted the Horton Fire in the Tonto National Forest. This fire was caused by human activity during a season when wildfire risk is usually low.
APS fire specialists worked with first responders to fight the fire. Thanks to weather conditions and APS’s earlier work clearing unwanted brush, firefighters were able to use power line corridors as firebreaks. These corridors helped stop the flames from spreading further. Firefighters also used the cameras to watch the fire’s growth overnight.
In February 2025, another success story emerged. An Arizona AI wildfire detection camera in the Prescott National Forest detected smoke from what became known as the Brady Fire. The camera spotted the fire when it was still smaller than one acre.
This camera was installed on a communication tower in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. As soon as it detected smoke, it notified both APS and the forest’s dispatch center. This early warning helped firefighters respond quickly and contain the fire.
The Brady Fire was far enough from power lines that it didn’t damage APS equipment or interrupt service to customers. The early detection by the AI camera played a key role in this outcome.
APS takes a thorough approach to wildfire prevention. They bring together many types of experts, including fire mitigation specialists who have worked as wildland firefighters. They also employ tree experts, weather specialists, line workers, engineers, data analysts, and drone pilots.
Together, these professionals help keep power flowing safely through more than 38,000 miles of power lines across Arizona.
The APS Wildfire Mitigation program includes several important activities. They regularly inspect power lines and make preventative upgrades. They clear dangerous brush and vegetation from around power lines to reduce fire risk.
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The program also uses various technologies to monitor for wildfire conditions. Besides the new Arizona AI wildfire detection cameras, they use weather stations and fire modeling software to help prevent, reduce, and respond to wildfire threats.
Wildfires pose a serious threat to both communities and the power grid in Arizona. When fires damage power lines or other equipment, it can lead to power outages that affect thousands of customers. By detecting fires early, APS can take steps to protect its infrastructure while also helping firefighters stop the fires before they grow too large.
The partnership between APS and fire departments shows how public safety can improve when utilities and emergency services work together. By sharing access to the AI camera feeds, APS helps firefighters get a better picture of developing fire situations. This can lead to more effective firefighting strategies and potentially save both property and lives.
Climate conditions in Arizona make the state particularly vulnerable to wildfires. Hot, dry weather creates perfect conditions for fires to start and spread quickly. The Arizona AI wildfire detection technology provides an extra layer of protection by constantly watching for the first signs of trouble, even in remote areas where a fire might otherwise burn unnoticed for hours.
For Arizona residents, these technological improvements mean better protection for their homes, businesses, and communities. The faster response times made possible by early detection can make the difference between a small, contained fire and a major disaster.
As wildfire seasons become longer and more intense across the western United States, technologies like the Arizona AI wildfire detection system may become an essential part of fire prevention and response strategies.
