Pano AI cameras scan the landscape and use AI to spot early signs of wildfires. Photo: Pano AI

Utah’s next wildfire alert could come from a mountaintop — or your front door

PARK CITY, Utah — As Utah braces for an early and potentially intense wildfire season, a new wave of technology is aiming to detect fires faster, and in some cases, right from residents’ front doors.

After an unseasonably warm, dry winter and already-low moisture levels in Summit County, fire officials are underscoring concerns about what the coming months could bring, especially with a handful of fires already being reported locally.

Across the state, agencies and private companies are increasingly focused on catching wildfires as early as possible.

AI cameras expand across Utah

Utah fire officials say some of the most promising tools are high-powered, AI-enabled camera systems already being deployed in pilot programs in Iron and Kane counties, where early feedback from firefighters has been positive.

State officials are currently working with companies like Pano AI and AlertWest to install cameras to scan the landscape and use AI to detect signs of smoke.

“[Fire responders] have access to these cameras and get notified of potential smoke,” said Karl Hunt, public affairs officer for the agency. “They can then log in and see what the camera is capturing.”

Unlike traditional fire lookouts, these systems provide continuous, automated monitoring and can alert responders within minutes of a potential ignition.

“Over the past few years, we have seen technologies emerge that are focused on detecting wildfires earlier,” Hunt said. “The sooner we are notified of a wildfire start, the sooner we can deploy resources to put it out.”

That urgency follows a severe 2025 fire season, when more than 1,100 fires burned roughly 165,000 acres across Utah and destroyed dozens of structures. With snowpack levels trending low again this year, conditions could once again favor rapid fire growth.

Doorbell cameras enter the conversation

Alongside state-backed systems, consumer technology is beginning to play a role.

Ring, a popular home security doorbell camera, recently introduced “Fire Watch,” a feature that uses artificial intelligence to analyze footage from outdoor cameras for signs of smoke or flames and send real-time alerts to users.

Screenshot from Ring Fire Watch YouTube video.

After a limited rollout, the feature is now available nationwide, according to the company.

Developed in partnership with Watch Duty, the system can also allow users to voluntarily share images or video during an active fire, potentially providing additional information to first responders.

“The Ring partnership with Watch Duty is interesting because it leverages existing infrastructure to provide visual content,” Hunt said, emphasizing that the division is always open to exploring new opportunities to fight fire more effectively.

Ring has also faced recent criticism over privacy concerns. A Super Bowl ad promoting its “Search Party” feature, which allows users to tap into the broader Ring network to help locate missing pets, drew backlash from some who said it expanded surveillance too far. The company also scrapped a planned partnership with Flock Safety that would have allowed users to opt into sharing footage with law enforcement.

Questions around new tools

Even as interest grows, officials say they are still evaluating how newer technologies might integrate into existing emergency response systems.

From remote camera towers scanning vast stretches of land to doorbells capturing the first hint of smoke on a residential street, each tool could play a role in shrinking response times.

“In Utah,” Hunt said, “it is important for us to catch wildfires as early as possible.”