Xcel Energy Inc., a regulated electric utility serving parts of eight states, has installed eight artificial‑intelligence (AI) cameras in northwestern Wisconsin to monitor for smoke and heat signatures. The cameras, supplied by San Francisco‑based Pano AI, cover roughly 70 miles of land each and are intended to provide early warning of wildfires that threaten power lines and surrounding communities.

The initiative began after Pano AI approached Xcel Energy with a proposal to use its AI‑driven detection system. Xcel’s Wildfire Command Center manager, Greg Bento, told Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” that the company began deploying the cameras in 2023. The cameras are positioned on existing infrastructure such as telecommunications towers and are operated from a 12‑person team that watches feeds 24/7 to validate alerts.

According to Bento, the cameras have already detected hundreds of ignition events in states where Xcel operates, including Minnesota, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico. In Wisconsin, local volunteer fire departments use the camera data to respond more quickly to potential fires. The system helps filter out false positives by distinguishing smoke from chimney emissions, steam, or dust.

Xcel pays an annual fee of $50,000 per camera. The company shares the feeds with local fire departments, the Bureau of Land Management, and parks and wildlife agencies. Bento emphasized that the cameras are mounted high and have wide angles, producing low‑resolution images that are not suitable for identifying individuals. He added that any residential structures visible in the view are automatically pixelated.

The project comes amid a rise in wildfire activity in Wisconsin. Since 2022, the state has seen more than 1,000 fires each year, with costs exceeding $1 million. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported over 620 incidents ahead of the 2026 summer season. Xcel is now evaluating a new camera site in Eau Claire County, which is expected to be operational by early 2027.

Pano AI, led by CEO Sonia Kastner, has raised $44 million in a Series B round to expand its wildfire detection network. The company’s technology integrates high‑definition video, AI smoke detection, and satellite data to provide continuous monitoring.

Bento noted that the cameras also contribute to air‑quality monitoring. If smoke from Canadian wildfires crosses the border, the system can detect changes in cloud cover and help Wisconsin agencies assess potential impacts on local air quality.

Xcel Energy’s deployment aligns with the utility’s broader commitment to resilience. The company announced in 2018 that it would deliver 100 percent clean, carbon‑free electricity by 2050, and the wildfire cameras are part of its strategy to protect infrastructure and reduce the risk of power outages caused by fires.

The cameras are currently active in eight Wisconsin communities—Birchwood, Cumberland, Hayward, Luck, Mercer, Spooner, Tomah, and Manitowish Waters. As the summer season approaches, the utility’s AI system is expected to play a key role in early detection and rapid response, potentially mitigating damage to both the power grid and surrounding environments.

The project illustrates how utilities are leveraging AI to enhance public safety and infrastructure protection. While the technology offers significant benefits, it also raises privacy concerns, which Xcel addresses through camera placement and image processing that limits personal identification.

In summary, Xcel Energy’s partnership with Pano AI represents a growing trend of utilities adopting AI‑based monitoring to address wildfire risks. The system’s continued expansion into additional counties and its integration with local emergency services underscore the importance of early detection in safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure.