AI and Newest Technology Deployed in Statewide Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Efforts

Phoenix, Ariz. - Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Nick Myers hosted the third annual Wildfire Mitigation Special Meeting and Town Hall on April 16, 2026, engaging Arizona's electric utilities, first responders, AI developers, and insurance experts in an interactive discussion. During the Town Hall, Arizona fire officials received a notice on his phone alerting him of a wildfire that had just sparked. The fire was picked up by advanced smoke detection technology, providing an impromptu demonstration of how stakeholders are working together and deploying the newest technology to prevent wildfires from spreading.

"The interactive and educational presentations from our utilities and other key stakeholders highlighting their wildfire mitigation efforts and use of new technologies made this year's town hall especially engaging," stated Chairman Myers. "How apropos that during the town hall, fire mitigation technology proved itself by notifying an Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management (DFFM) representative through an app on his phone of a wildfire that broke out, allowing it to be quickly located and extinguished even before the first call came in."

Representatives from technology developer, Pano, participated in the Town Hall. The company produces AI-powered wildfire management technology that helps detect fire threats, sends out notification of incidents to first responders, delivers visual access and real-time data using sensors and cameras. The information it provides may help fire officials make faster and smarter decisions to protect our communities. The company said, two years ago there were zero Pano AI detection stations in Arizona; today, 51 Pano AI stations are deployed across the state with a projected total of 88 stations active in the state by the end of this year.

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) and Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP)/UNS Energy currently use Pano AI technology as part of their wildfire mitigation plans. APS representatives prepared a video demonstration to show the Commissioners how the new technology works. TEP representatives brought in several pieces of equipment and displayed them for the Commissioners and explained how each AI-powered detection tool works.

Trico Electric Cooperative, which covers more than 2,300 square miles in rural areas in Arizona shared its wildfire mitigation efforts with the Commission, which includes vegetation management, grid hardening, fire and weather detection sensors, and several pilot technologies including Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanners, and AI data visualization tools. Trico has also begun construction of its SmartGrid Fiber Backbone project, a fiber-optic network that will connect Trico's substation with high-speed fiber communications, which would allow them to connect their electric grid with control devices to improve reliability and resilience.

Representatives with DFFM, Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority, and the Prescott Fire Department made the trip to Phoenix to participate in the discussion. Fire officials continue to grow their Firewise program, focusing on homeowner education and prevention. DFFM reported 217 designated Firewise communities across the state, where landscape and modification techniques create safety zones that interrupt fuel continuity so that a fire burns with low intensity and creates less of a threat to structures.

The special meeting and town hall can be viewed in its entirety on the Commission's website. Presentations by utilities and stakeholders can be found here.