Wildfires are unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable and their behaviour and severity are dependent upon a combination of factors such as weather, available fuels, and physical setting. Governments find it really difficult to control and they seek all the help they need.&nbsp;

The firefighters in California are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help spot wildfires. The system will stream video from over 1,000 strategically positioned cameras across the state into a machine that will warn first responders when it is time to mobilise.&nbsp;

In addition to the camera network, and in response to increasingly frequent and severe climate-driven disasters, ALERTCalifornia is prioritising novel data collection and research.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-social-media-awash-with-videos-of-deadly-maui-island-fire-in-hawaii-624529">Social media awash with videos of deadly Maui island fire in Hawaii</a>&nbsp;

The engineers at the University of California San Diego developed ALERTCalifornia by using AI from DigitalPath, a company based in Chico, California.&nbsp;

The website noted that ALERTCalifornia provides "state-of-the-art technology that supports data-driven decisions to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters".&nbsp;

As per the website, ALERTCalifornia is based at the University of California San Diego. It is a public safety program working to understand wildfires and other natural hazards. It also aims to help the authorities to determine short and long-term impacts on people and the environment to inform management decisions.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Why Maui's deadly wildfires spread so quickly&nbsp;

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As reported by the news agency Reuters, Cal Fire said with people asleep and darkness concealing the smoke, it could have spread into a raging wildfire.&nbsp;

However, AI notified a fire captain, who dispatched approximately 60 firefighters, including seven engines, two bulldozers, two water tankers, and two hand crews. The fire was extinguished in 45 minutes.&nbsp;

Cal Fire offered further examples of AI alerting fire captains to fire before a 911 call was placed since the AI programme began on July 10, albeit it did not yet have a thorough report.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/virgin-galactics-tourist-astronauts-left-starstruck-after-trip-to-edge-of-space-watch-624619">Virgin Galactic's tourist 'astronauts' left 'starstruck' after trip to edge of space. Watch!</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by Reuters, Suzann Leininger, who is a Cal Fire intelligence specialist in El Cajon, just east of San Diego, said: "Its 100% applicable throughout anywhere in the world, especially now that we're experiencing a lot larger and more frequent fire regimes and with climate change."&nbsp;

In a presser released on May 3, Neal Driscoll, director of ALERTCalifornia and geoscientist at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said: "The program will spawn invaluable research and mitigation plans that will increase the state's resiliency towards the new extreme fire risk."&nbsp;

"Data acquired in the highest fire-threat regions will significantly empower firefighters, first responders, legislators, city planners and scientists for years to come," Driscoll had added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Wildfires are unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable and their behaviour and severity are dependent upon a combination of factors such as weather, available fuels, and physical setting.

Wildfires are unplanned, uncontrolled and unpredictable and their behaviour and severity are dependent upon a combination of factors such as weather, available fuels, and physical setting. Governments find it really difficult to control and they seek all the help they need. The firefighters in California are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help spot wildfires. The system will stream video from over 1,000 strategically positioned cameras across the state into a machine that will warn first responders when it is time to mobilise. In addition to the camera network, and in response to increasingly frequent and severe climate-driven disasters, ALERTCalifornia is prioritising novel data collection and research. Also read: Social media awash with videos of deadly Maui island fire in Hawaii The engineers at the University of California San Diego developed ALERTCalifornia by using AI from DigitalPath, a company based in Chico, California. The website noted that ALERTCalifornia provides "state-of-the-art technology that supports data-driven decisions to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters". As per the website, ALERTCalifornia is based at the University of California San Diego. It is a public safety program working to understand wildfires and other natural hazards. It also aims to help the authorities to determine short and long-term impacts on people and the environment to inform management decisions. Watch: Why Maui's deadly wildfires spread so quickly × As reported by the news agency Reuters, Cal Fire said with people asleep and darkness concealing the smoke, it could have spread into a raging wildfire. However, AI notified a fire captain, who dispatched approximately 60 firefighters, including seven engines, two bulldozers, two water tankers, and two hand crews. The fire was extinguished in 45 minutes. Cal Fire offered further examples of AI alerting fire captains to fire before a 911 call was placed since the AI programme began on July 10, albeit it did not yet have a thorough report. Also read: Virgin Galactic's tourist 'astronauts' left 'starstruck' after trip to edge of space. Watch! As quoted by Reuters, Suzann Leininger, who is a Cal Fire intelligence specialist in El Cajon, just east of San Diego, said: "Its 100% applicable throughout anywhere in the world, especially now that we're experiencing a lot larger and more frequent fire regimes and with climate change." In a presser released on May 3, Neal Driscoll, director of ALERTCalifornia and geoscientist at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said: "The program will spawn invaluable research and mitigation plans that will increase the state's resiliency towards the new extreme fire risk." "Data acquired in the highest fire-threat regions will significantly empower firefighters, first responders, legislators, city planners and scientists for years to come," Driscoll had added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

California firefighters using AI to help spot wildfires and take necessary action

California released a list of over 130 missing people as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-climbs-to-48-in-californias-most-lethal-wildfire-disaster-177208">firefighters battled raging wildfires</a> for a seventh day on Wednesday.

Most of the missing people are to believe from the Butte County town of Paradise.

Paradise, a town of around 26,000 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, was popular with retirees and many of those reported missing by the sheriff's office are elderly -- in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

At least 56 deaths have been reported so far from the deadliest wildfires in California's recent history and body recovery teams were going house-to-house with cadaver dogs in Paradise on Wednesday.

The complaint alleged that the fire began on November 8 when a high voltage transmission line failed, igniting a vegetation fire.

California released a list of over 130 missing people as firefighters battled raging wildfires for a seventh day on Wednesday. Most of the missing people are to believe from the Butte County town of Paradise.

California released a list of over 130 missing people as firefighters battled raging wildfires for a seventh day on Wednesday. Most of the missing people are to believe from the Butte County town of Paradise. Paradise, a town of around 26,000 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, was popular with retirees and many of those reported missing by the sheriff's office are elderly -- in their 70s, 80s and 90s. At least 56 deaths have been reported so far from the deadliest wildfires in California's recent history and body recovery teams were going house-to-house with cadaver dogs in Paradise on Wednesday. The complaint alleged that the fire began on November 8 when a high voltage transmission line failed, igniting a vegetation fire.

56 dead, 130 still missing after California wildfires

The Soberanes Fire continued on Wednesday (July 27) to threaten some 2,000 properties after destroying 20 homes on Sunday in an area between Big Sur and the scenic coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, officials said. 
 
Firefighters were informed about the death of the bulldozer operator, which occurred overnight&nbsp;before they headed out early on Wednesday 
 
Officials said the bulldozer overturned and that the operator was a private contractor. A second bulldozer also overturned while battling the flames, but that operator was uninjured, officials said. 
 
The Soberanes Fire has scorched more than 23,500 acres (9,510 hectares) at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest since breaking out on Friday and some 3,080 firefighters had the blaze about 10 per cent contained on Wednesday, officials said. 
 
The Soberanes Fire is approximately 300 miles (480 km) to the north of the so-called Sand Fire in the Angeles National Forest, of which 40 per cent of the 38,350-acre (15,520 hectare) blaze had been contained by Wednesday morning. 
 
(Reuters)

The fire has scorched more than 23,500 acres at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest since breaking out on Friday

The Soberanes Fire continued on Wednesday (July 27) to threaten some 2,000 properties after destroying 20 homes on Sunday in an area between Big Sur and the scenic coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, officials said. Firefighters were informed about the death of the bulldozer operator, which occurred overnight before they headed out early on Wednesday Officials said the bulldozer overturned and that the operator was a private contractor. A second bulldozer also overturned while battling the flames, but that operator was uninjured, officials said. The Soberanes Fire has scorched more than 23,500 acres (9,510 hectares) at the edge of the Los Padres National Forest since breaking out on Friday and some 3,080 firefighters had the blaze about 10 per cent contained on Wednesday, officials said. The Soberanes Fire is approximately 300 miles (480 km) to the north of the so-called Sand Fire in the Angeles National Forest, of which 40 per cent of the 38,350-acre (15,520 hectare) blaze had been contained by Wednesday morning. (Reuters)

Bulldozer operator killed as California wildfires continue to rage