Committee explores Alert California cameras, N5 sensors and drones to boost wildfire detection

Los Altos Hills' technology and emergency‑preparedness representatives outlined a plan to expand early wildfire detection using Alert California cameras, N5 ground sensors and drones.

The committee said Alert California — a statewide, publicly funded monitoring program — currently has no cameras inside most of the town and that cameras located on nearby foothills provide partial coverage but cannot see over local contours. The committee proposed surveying town‑owned properties and other candidate sites, producing Google Earth visibility simulations and then presenting a prescriptive proposal to Alert California and the fire district for review.

The town’s emergency preparedness chair (Speaker 14) noted that the committee could add camera requests to broader fire‑risk reduction grant applications; a Foothill connector and Hidden Villa connections are near completion and may factor into site choices. Members discussed privacy, ownership and monitoring: the Alert California system is typically run by state partners and is designed for smoke detection in wildland/wilderness areas rather than street‑level surveillance. A representative said the cameras have features such as region blurring and are focused on smoke detection.

Committee members also discussed N5 sensors and the potential to test drones and other remote sensing tools; the fire district is already trialing some technologies. The group agreed to prepare a 90‑day plan including site visits, technical simulations and coordinated outreach to alert program managers and the fire district for a joint proposal.