Extra Eyes: APS, Firefighters Team Up With New AI Smoke-Detection Cameras

Rhea-AI Summary

Arizona Public Service (APS) has deployed new artificial intelligence (AI) smoke-detection cameras to enhance wildfire detection and emergency response capabilities. The system includes over 30 AI cameras installed across various Arizona locations, including Flagstaff, Payson, Prescott, Sedona, north Phoenix, and southeastern Arizona.

The Pano AI technology features smart AI that can detect fire smoke within a 10-mile range, connected satellite data for fire size and location information, and 24/7 live streaming with 360-degree ultra-high-definition views. Recent successful implementations include the detection of the Horton Fire in December 2024 and the Brady Fire in February 2025.

APS's comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy includes partnerships with federal land managers, regular power line inspections, preventative upgrades, and vegetation management across their 38,000-mile power line network. The company serves approximately 1.4 million homes and businesses in Arizona and aims to achieve 100% clean power by 2050.

Positive

• Implementation of advanced AI-powered wildfire detection system across 30+ locations
• Early detection capability leading to faster emergency response times
• Strategic partnerships with federal and state fire management agencies
• Successful real-world implementation proven through Horton and Brady Fire detection cases

Negative

• None.

Insights

Utility Risk Management Expert

APS's deployment of AI-powered smoke-detection cameras represents a significant enhancement to their wildfire risk management strategy. For utilities operating in high fire-risk regions like Arizona, wildfire prevention isn't merely a safety measure—it's critical infrastructure protection with direct financial implications.

What makes this development noteworthy is the comprehensive integration approach. By providing fire dispatch centers with direct access to camera feeds and implementing over 30 AI-equipped monitoring stations across high-risk areas, APS has created a multi-layered defense system. The partnership with state and federal agencies further amplifies the effectiveness of this initiative.

The technology's successful early detection of both the Horton and Brady fires demonstrates real-world validation of the system's capabilities. Early identification allows for rapid response, potentially preventing catastrophic infrastructure damage and service interruptions to APS's 1.4 million customers.

For Pinnacle West shareholders, this represents prudent risk management. While implementation costs aren't disclosed, the investment likely provides significant risk mitigation value considering the potential financial impact of wildfire damage to transmission infrastructure. Infrastructure protection technologies like these can meaningfully reduce maintenance costs, avoid service disruptions, and minimize potential liability exposure—all factors that directly impact the bottom line for regulated utilities.

Technology Implementation Analyst

The Pano AI implementation by APS represents a strategic application of artificial intelligence in critical infrastructure protection. The system's technical capabilities—24/7 monitoring with 360-degree ultra-high-definition cameras, specialized AI algorithms that differentiate smoke from fog or dust, and integration with satellite data—create a sophisticated early warning network.

The technology's architecture is particularly impressive in its multi-modal approach. Rather than relying solely on visual detection, the system correlates multiple data sources to enhance accuracy and reduce false positives. This design increases confidence in alerts and improves operational decision-making during potential fire events.

What's technically significant is the operational integration. The system doesn't just detect fires—it provides actionable intelligence to both utility operators and emergency services simultaneously, enabling coordinated responses. The AI's ability to calculate fire size and precise location delivers critical parameters that influence response strategies.

For utilities operating in the Southwest, where climate conditions create persistent fire risks, AI-powered detection systems represent a valuable operational tool that can lower incident response times and potentially reduce damage severity. While this technology won't eliminate wildfire risks entirely, it provides a meaningful capability enhancement that strengthens APS's overall infrastructure resilience—an increasingly important factor for utilities facing evolving environmental challenges.

Technology aids in early wildfire detection and strengthens emergency response

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- New artificial intelligence (AI) fire-sensing cameras operated by Arizona Public Service (APS) are proactively searching 24/7 for early signs of wildfires in targeted, high fire-risk areas. They alert APS fire mitigation experts and fire dispatch centers when smoke and heat traces are detected. As part of its comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy, APS is enhancing collaboration with firefighters and providing fire dispatch centers access to live camera feeds and fire detection information.

Arizona Public Service artificial intelligence (AI) smoke-detection camera installed in northern Arizona. (Courtesy: Pano AI)

“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 and we can make critical operational decisions about our energy grid to help keep communities safe,” said Scott Bordenkircher, APS Forestry and Fire Mitigation Director. “Our wildfire mitigation efforts over the past 10 years, strengthened by partnerships with federal land managers, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and local fire departments, is key to delivering safe, reliable energy to customers.”

“The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management knows the capabilities of the AI cameras and the critical asset they can be for the state when it comes to DFFM’s wildfire response. We will have the ability to tap into the cameras and those feeds will help increase our situational awareness as well as provide our dispatching center with timely information to relay to our boots on the ground,” said Tom Torres, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Director. “We appreciate the collaboration with APS to enhance our fire suppression response efforts so DFFM can better serve and protect our residents and communities.”

The new technology from Pano AI is helping mitigate wildfire risk through a variety of features, including:

• More than 30 APS AI cameras mounted in elevated locations across Flagstaff, Payson, Prescott, Sedona, north Phoenix and southeastern Arizona by this summer.
• Smart AI that evaluates and detects fire smoke optimally within a 10-mile range and studies the way smoke looks to prevent mistaking other images like fog or dust as signs of wildfire.
• Connected satellite data that produces information on the size and location of the fire and 24/7 live stream using ultra-high-definition cameras with 360-degree views that can zoom in on a specific location.

“Arizona faces a growing threat from wildfires, and early detection is critical to protecting communities and infrastructure,” said Arvind Satyam, Pano AI Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer. “By partnering with APS, we’re bringing cutting-edge technology and real-time intelligence to the frontlines of wildfire response. These AI-powered cameras spot smoke from miles away and provide actionable insights that help the utility and emergency responders move quickly and decisively.”

Recent examples of AZ wildfire detection through the lens of AI

December 2024:

• The Horton Fire, caused by human activity, ignited in the Tonto National Forest during a time of year when wildfire risk is typically low.
• An AI camera in Payson notified APS fire mitigation specialists of the smoke. (WATCH VIDEO).
• APS fire mitigation specialists worked with first responders and because of weather conditions and APS’s previous removal of overgrown and unwanted brush, firefighters were able to use power line corridors as fire breaks to help keep flames from spreading.
• Firefighters used the cameras to help monitor the fire’s growth overnight.

February 2025:

• An AI camera in the Prescott National Forest detected smoke from the Brady Fire when it was less than one acre in size. (WATCH VIDEO).
• Installed on a communication tower, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the camera system immediately notified APS and the forest’s dispatch center.
• Firefighters’ swift and tactical response helped contain the fire’s spread and, due to the fire’s distance from power lines and the camera’s early detection of smoke, the fire did not impact APS equipment or service to customers.

What else does APS do to help reduce wildfire risk?

• APS takes an in depth, multi-layered approach that spans across many teams from fire mitigation specialists with experience working as wildland firefighters to tree experts, meteorologists, lineworkers, engineers, data analysts and drone pilots to keep power flowing safely and reliably through more than 38,000 miles of power lines.
• The APS Wildfire Mitigation program includes regular power line inspections, preventative upgrades, clearing hazardous brush and vegetation from power lines and wildfire monitoring technology, like weather stations, fire modeling software and high-definition cameras, utilized to help prevent, reduce and respond to wildfire risk.

For more information on APS’s wildfire mitigation efforts, visit aps.com/wildfiresafety. To learn more about the wildfire camera technology, visit pano.ai.

APS serves about 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering affordable, reliable, and clean energy in the Southwest. The company is committed to serving customers with 100% clean power by 2050. As owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, one of the nation’s largest producers of carbon-free electricity, and with one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy portfolios, APS’s current energy mix is about 54% clean. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250325710585/en/

Media Contacts:

APS: Yessica del Rincon, yessica.delrincon@aps.com, 480-209-8513

Arizona Dept. of Forestry and Fire Management: Tiffany Davila, tdavila@dffm.az.gov, 602-540-1036

Pano AI: Jocelyn Johnson, jocelyn.johnson@pano.ai, 917-406-5886

Source: Arizona Public Service

FAQ

How many AI smoke-detection cameras has APS (PNW) installed across Arizona?

APS has installed more than 30 AI cameras across locations including Flagstaff, Payson, Prescott, Sedona, north Phoenix, and southeastern Arizona.

What is the detection range of APS's (PNW) new AI wildfire detection cameras?

The AI cameras can optimally detect fire smoke within a 10-mile range.

How did APS's (PNW) AI cameras perform in detecting the Horton Fire in December 2024?

The AI cameras successfully detected the Horton Fire in Tonto National Forest, enabling quick notification to fire mitigation specialists and helping monitor fire growth overnight.

What percentage of APS's (PNW) current energy mix is clean power?

APS's current energy mix is approximately 54% clean power, with a goal of 100% clean power by 2050.

How many miles of power lines does APS (PNW) monitor for wildfire risk?

APS monitors and maintains over 38,000 miles of power lines as part of their wildfire mitigation program.