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A new tower has been installed in the heart of Sedgwick Reserve to capture information about potential wildfires. As part of ALERTCalifornia's network of more than 1,080 monitoring cameras and sensor arrays, Sedgwick Reserve Fire Lookout tower will collect data and provide actionable, real-time information to inform public safety. ALERTCalifornia’s high-definition cameras are able to pan, tilt, zoom and perform 360-degree sweeps approximately every two minutes with 12 high-definition frames per sweep. The cameras also provide 24-hour monitoring with near-infrared night vision capabilities. Each can view as far as 60 miles on a clear day, and 120 miles on a clear night. Using the cameras and associated tools, first responders with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) can rapidly confirm fire ignition, quickly scale fire resources, support evacuations through enhanced situational awareness and monitor fires through containment.
The statewide network is run out of the University of California- San Diego and was started with a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded grant titled High Performance Wireless Research & Education Network (HPWREN). It was even named one of Time’s best innovations for 2023. In addition to the camera network, and in response to increasingly frequent and severe climate-driven disasters, ALERTCalifornia is prioritizing novel data collection and research. These data are open-source and are shared with fellow institutions and partners. Using AI technology, the cameras can help with early detection of wildfires and fire behavior. ALERTCalifornia is creating a virtual dashboard to inform fuel reduction efforts year-round and more efficient firefighting during peak fire season to save lives as well as protect habitats and infrastructure.
The tower was installed on a ridgeline between Lisque Canyon and Figueroa Creek Road, chosen for its vantage point with a direct internet signal from Santa Ynez Peak. Sedgwick staff broke ground on the project in the beginning of June, after a very wet winter and spring turned the access road to mud and delayed the project. A 4 x 4 x 4 foot hole was dug by an auger and by hand. Over 160 bags or 9,600 lbs of concrete were needed for the tower footing to withstand the strong winds on the hill. The tower is solar powered and runs off of twelve 12-volt batteries and a solar array. In consultation with founder Dr. Frank Vernon and the HPWREN Team, Sedgwick staff including Anthony Nelson, Angela Giordani, Lyza Johnsen, Logan Davis, Valentine Navarro, Gary Nett, and Sam Spaulding, worked tirelessly to install the tower over the course of the summer and fall.
Now officially connected to the statewide network, Sedgwick's ALERTCalifornia tower, which we warmly call "Sofi", was made possible by donor support, with contributions from over 20 individuals. The fundraising effort was motivated by a generous donation from Sedgwick neighbor and supporter, Bert Cohen, who creatively put out a matching challenge to Sedgwick friends and neighbors to secure the funding needed for the tower and associated installation.
To watch Sedgwick's cameras online go to the ALERTCalifornia website and type in Sedgwick Reserve Fire Lookout on the OPs tab.
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