May 21, 2025
70 West Hedding Street
East Wing, 10th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
Re: Support for Wildfire Detection Sensor Pilot Program – Item #11 on May 20th, 2025 BOS Agenda
Dear Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors,
On behalf of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter we are writing to express our strong support for the wildfire detection sensor pilot program outlined in item #11 of the May 20th, 2025, Board of Supervisors agenda. Early detection of wildfires is a critical tool that can save lives, protect our environment, and prevent billions of dollars in damages. As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires, adopting proactive technology such as AI sensors has never been more important.
The devastating wildfires in Southern California earlier this year underscore the urgent need for such measures. The Los Angeles fires spread rapidly, killed dozens, forced massive evacuations, and destroyed tens of thousands of homes. The total cost of such a disaster can exceed $50 billion. We cannot afford to wait for a crisis to strike here in Santa Clara County. We should act now to prevent similar devastation in our region.
In addition to the direct danger of the fires, wildfire smoke poses a significant health risk. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from smoke is particularly hazardous for children, seniors, and individuals with preexisting health conditions. It can increase the risk of premature death, hospitalizations, asthma attacks, and cardiovascular issues. As we experienced in California in 2020, the combination of extreme heat and wildfire smoke can further exacerbate these health threats. Early detection is key to reducing the harmful effects of smoke and protecting our air quality.
The AI-powered wildfire detection sensors are a promising and much-needed solution. They are designed to detect subtle changes in air quality and particulate matter, allowing them to identify fires at the earliest stages—sometimes even before visible flames are present. This early warning gives first responders critical time to act and helps prevent fire escalation. These sensors are already in use across several regions, including San Jose Water, the Palo Alto Fire Department, the Woodside Fire Protection District, and Stanford University. Additionally, pilot studies sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security have been conducted in California, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, and Canada. Other areas like Hawaii, Carson City, Nevada, and Oakland, California have also deployed these sensors with success. It’s time for Santa Clara County to join these forward-thinking communities in adopting this life-saving technology.
The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter strongly urges you to approve the wildfire detection sensor pilot program. This technology would complement the County’s existing fire prevention efforts and significantly enhance our ability to respond early and effectively to wildfire threats.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your support of this important initiative.
Sincerely,
Gita Dev
Chair, Conservation Committee
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
James Eggers
Director
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
Email sent from account of
Dashiell Leeds
Conservation Coordinator
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter