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Board backs expansion of wildfire‑detection sensor pilot, directs faster deployment and partner outreach
Summary
Supervisors directed county administration to expand a wildfire detection sensor pilot—approving a larger initial deployment target and requiring progress updates—after staff described a multi‑agency pilot and local partners urged rapid action.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion on May 20 to proceed with an expanded wildfire detection sensor pilot and to accelerate initial deployments in high‑risk parts of the county.
Why it matters: County staff described a multi‑agency pilot to deploy air‑ and smoke‑sensing devices across the wildland‑urban interface to detect fires earlier than camera systems alone. Early detection can reduce response times, protect property, and limit public‑health impacts from wildfire smoke.
What staff recommended: Deputy County Executive John Mills and county parks and fire officials presented a plan for an initial deployment of networked AI‑enabled sensors and described the sensors’ complementary role to existing camera systems. The staff report proposed a pilot with staged deployments and an evaluation plan.
Board action: President Lee moved that the county move forward more aggressively than staff initially proposed—calling for a first‑phase goal of 50 sensors (rather than the staff’s smaller initial package), prioritizing South and East County locations with little current coverage, and instructing administration to reach out to private landowners and partners to obtain placement access. The motion was seconded and approved 5–0. Supervisors asked that staff report back to the Board’s Hewlett (policy) committee with regular updates beginning early this fall and that the county welcome other regional partners, including the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, to participate.
Partner testimony: Representatives from San Jose Water, the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Santa Clara County Parks, and county fire officials described technical performance, site selection, and public‑health reasons to pilot sensors now. John Tang of San Jose Water offered to host site tours and described existing sensor deployments on watershed lands.
Implementation and timing: Staff said sensors are simple to install (install times cited from field partners ranged from 30 minutes to an hour per unit), and noted that some sites can separate barbeque smoke from wildfire smoke using AI detection. The board urged staff to prioritize deployment in unserved high‑risk areas before the next fire season where feasible and to coordinate access with private landowners and agencies.
Ending: The board emphasized rapid, transparent progress and asked for periodic status briefings to the policy committee as the pilot proceeds.
