AI, computer vision help insurers, first responders fight wildfires

On a tower in the Brazilian rain forest, a sentinel scans the horizon for the first signs of fire. They don't blink or take breaks, and guided by artificial intelligence they can tell the difference between a dust cloud, an insect swarm and a plume of smoke that demands quick attention. In Brazil, the devices help keep mining giant Vale SA working, and protect trees for pulp and paper producer Suzano SA. In the future, it's a system that may be put to work in California, where deadly wildfires abound. The equipment includes optical and thermal cameras, as well as spectrometric systems that identify the chemical makeup of substances.