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Two workers in hard hats and safety harnesses install a camera high on a communications tower above a forested mountain landscape.

Workers install an AI-equipped camera on a mountaintop tower used to spot wildfires early, part of a growing early-detection network. Photo: PBS NewsHour

How AI Cameras Are Detecting Wildfires Before They Get out of Control

August 12, 2026

How AI Cameras Are Detecting Wildfires Before They Get out of Control

2026 is on track to be one of the worst U.S. wildfire years in a decade. Students explore how AI cameras and satellites like FireSat are helping spot fires faster, and weigh the promise and limits of the technology.

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PBS News Hour Classroom
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This year is becoming one of the worst for U.S. wildfires in at least a decade. There have been more fires and more acreage burned at this point in the year compared to any in the last ten. With fire seasons growing longer, early detection is critical. Special correspondent Ben Tracy of Climate Central reports on how AI is being used to spot fires faster. It's part of our series, Tipping Point.

View the transcript of the story.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

Warm-Up Questions

  1. How does 2026 compare to other recent years in terms of severity of wildfires in the U.S.?
  2. Who is Ben Tracy, and what is his background?
  3. What is FireSat, and how does it work?
  4. Why is artificial intelligence a critical part of the FireSat system?
  5. Why has the tool become a "have to have" according to fire rescue assistant chief Brendan Finnegan?

Essential Questions

  1. Do you think it's a good idea to rely on AI to detect wildfires? What are some of the opportunities and some of the drawbacks of incorporating AI into detection systems?
  2. Can you think of any other uses for this technology that would help prevent natural disasters and protect communities?
  3. Media literacy: The special correspondent for this segment is Ben Tracy of Climate Central. What can you find out about the organization Climate Central? What is its purpose? Why do you think Tracy was chosen to help tell the story in this segment?

What Students Can Do

Aside from close monitoring through FireSat, what are some other ways communities can prepare for wildfire season? First, read through the article, "Heat wave expected to bring record-breaking temps, heighten wildfire risk to parts of Western U.S." Then brainstorm ways that communities might prepare for wildfire risk. Some goals you might consider:

  • Keep community members safe
  • Prevent wildfires from starting in the first place
  • Limit the damage to property
  • Limit the damage to forests and ecosystems
  • Plan to safely evacuate people in harm's way

After you've written down 2-3 ideas, come back together as a class and share. What ideas do you think might be easiest to try? What might require more resources, including funding?

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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.

PBS News Hour Classroom
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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