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Public Works proposes Pano AI camera system to detect landfill fires; preliminary cost $40,000 per year
Summary
Public Works proposed installing a Pano AI camera system covering the Toutle Basin and the county landfill to provide early detection of fires; staff said the vendor proposes $40,000 per year for five years and that AI alerts would be monitored by humans and could supply coordinates to fire responders.
Public Works described a proposed perimeter camera system (Pano AI) to improve early detection of landfill and surrounding wildland fires at the county landfill in the Toutle Basin.
"The great thing about this product is once it detects the particles in the air, so anywhere where these cameras overlap, it will give you latitude and longitude coordinates," Public Works staff said, describing how overlapping cameras improve precision for fire responders.
Nut graf: Staff said the cameras would extend detection coverage across a broad area of North County, provide geolocated alerts for fire departments and offer integration with on‑site thermal cameras. The vendor's current price would be roughly $40,000 annually on a five‑year contract; staff said that cost should be weighed against past fire‑related damage and tarp replacement costs.
Public Works described operations: AI would flag an alert, a person would review the image, and staff would either contact 911 or directly notify the fire department. Mike Moss, public services director, said the system would be useful "for the whole North County," covering landfill property and neighboring industrial and residential areas.
Staff noted some local experience that underlined the benefit: a private resident spotted a landfill fire in the middle of the night, called 911 and helped crews arrive hours earlier than they might have otherwise; staff said automated detection could reduce response time in similar events.
Staff also told the board the landfill bears the operating cost if the county decides to proceed and that communications redundancy (internet and cellular uplink) would be provided. Commissioners expressed preliminary support for continuing discussions and directed staff to continue analyzing options; no contract was signed at the meeting.
Ending: Staff will return with more information on thermal cameras and procurement options. The board gave tentative support to explore Pano AI and related detection measures but requested additional budget and operational details before any contract is executed.
