September 1, 2025 – CAL FIRE officials announce that a new set of eyes is helping to keep Tahoe safe 24/7.

UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program has installed two new cameras enhanced with AI, giving clear views of the northern Lake Tahoe area. These cameras scan the landscape in real time, monitoring for smoke or fire the moment it appears.

When a camera spots something unusual, an alert is sent to the closest CAL FIRE Emergency Command Center. There, trained staff confirm if it’s a new fire before dispatching crews.

This type of early detection means firefighters can respond faster before flames have a chance to spread. Investments like this are key to keeping 95% of California’s wildfires to 10 acres or less, and they give CAL FIRE a critical advantage in wildfire preparedness and response.

See the live view: https://bit.ly/AlertCACameras.

View video here.

Source: CAL FIRE