As New York faces a growing threat of brush fires fueled by drier weather and shifting climate patterns, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is deploying artificial intelligence to stop fires before they spread.
The department has installed solar-powered AI cameras in several city parks, including Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Highbridge Park in Manhattan, and Marine Park Golf Course in Brooklyn. The new system is designed to identify smoke or flames in real time and instantly stream video feeds to FDNY’s command center for rapid response.
“These cameras serve as an early warning system, capable of identifying smoke or flame activity in real time, even in remote or high-risk areas,” FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said. “This is about using innovative tools to protect our communities and our members, helping us detect and extinguish fires faster before they have a chance to spread.”
The initiative follows a record-breaking year for brush fires across the five boroughs, which burned through dozens of city parks and led local lawmakers to expand the city’s wildfire preparedness plans.
Experts say climate shifts and extended drought periods have left even New York’s urban green spaces more susceptible to fast-moving fires. By combining renewable energy with AI-powered monitoring, officials hope to create a more proactive approach to fire prevention.
The rollout also comes as a statewide burn ban remains in effect, prompted by unusually dry and windy conditions that have heightened the wildfire risk throughout the region. FDNY officials expect to expand the program if the pilot proves successful, potentially integrating AI detection tools across all five boroughs.
The department’s move reflects a growing national trend of using artificial intelligence and remote sensing technology to address climate-related emergencies faster, saving both property and lives.