University of Oregon expands early wildfire detection network to Wasco County

Google is providing $250,000 to install and maintain the cameras in and near The Dalles where in 2025, the Rowena Fire burned more than 3,700 acres in just two weeks, destroying dozens of homes and buildings. The fire was one of nearly 30 fires in the region last year.

“State and regional forecasts are already pointing to what could be a challenging fire season for Oregon,” said Leland O’Driscoll, director of the Oregon Hazards Lab. “Investments like this help communities get ahead of that risk by detecting fires faster and supporting a quicker, more effective response.”

The cameras perform 360-degree scans every two minutes, using AI to flag potential smoke or fire activity. Those signals are then quickly and independently verified by two human reviewers before the precise coordinates are shared with emergency responders. With alerts reaching fire authorities in an average of five minutes, this technology enables faster response times and helps contain fires before they spread.

“In our line of work, minutes matter,” said David Jensen, fire chief at Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue. “Having technology that can detect fires early and provide real-time information helps us respond faster and make better decisions in the field. This detection network is a game changer for us.”

Once operational in early summer, the cameras will be part of ALERTWest.live, a wildfire camera platform that displays more than 1,800 cameras from partners across the West. The Oregon Hazards Lab operates the Pacific Northwest network in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, utilities, local agencies and others. The cameras are designed specifically for landscape monitoring and include privacy protections that obscure private residences and other sensitive areas from public view.

“The Rowena Fire was a traumatic event for our community and reflects the reality many communities across Oregon and the West face every year,” said Katy Bowman, community development and engagement manager at Google’s data centers in The Dalles. “Google remains committed to supporting local organizations and investing in ways that help communities better prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events.”

Beyond emergency response, the camera network creates a valuable archive of visual data that supports long-term research. By tracking environmental changes from wildfires, landslides and reforestation efforts, researchers can better understand wildfire behavior and strengthen regional resilience.

About the University of Oregon

The University of Oregon is one of the top public research universities in the nation. Founded in 1876, the UO is the flagship institution of the state. It brings together almost 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and over 90 countries. The UO offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its many schools and colleges. A Carnegie R1 research university and a member of the Association of American Universities, the UO is a key contributor in the state's high innovation ranking: Oregon is #3 in the U.S. for innovation economy and business competitiveness. UO faculty includes a Nobel Prize winner, a MacArthur fellow, a pair of National Medal of Science winners and recipients of the Pulitzer Prize.