As California fires worsen, can AI come to the rescue?

Cal Fire Ted Schaffer monitors computer screens which depicts views of wildfire camera systems in real time throughout the state of California at the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center on Aug. 9, 2023, in Moreno Valley, California. The agency is using AI to help monitor the camera systems. — Los Angeles Times/TNS

Just before 3am one night this month, Scott Slumpff was awakened by the ding of a text message.

"An ALERTCalifornia anomaly has been confirmed in your area of interest," the message said.