For Immediate Release

SAN JOSE WATER AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRESAFE COUNCIL EXPAND AI WILDFIRE SENSOR NETWORK TO KEY LOCATIONS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

Santa Clara FireSafe Council Provides Additional N5 Sensors NSHIELD™ Systems For Early Wildfire Detection Protecting Watersheds And Drinking Water Systems From Wildfire

February 5, 2025, Saratoga, CA— The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCCFSC), an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, and San Jose Water (SJW) announced today an expansion of their network of AI-based wildfire smoke detection sensors focusing on key locations in high-fire risk zones in the Santa Cruz Mountains region. 

“The recent events in Southern California underscore the vital role of water utilities in fostering a coordinated and collaborative approach to wildfire mitigation. By harnessing advanced technology, we are enhancing water system resilience and focusing on the earliest stages of wildfire, where rapid detection and response are most critical. Our efforts aim to strengthen wildfire preparedness, minimize risk, and protect communities and water supply when it matters most,” stated Jared Lewis, Manager, Environmental Planning and Natural Resources, San Jose Water. 



According to Seth Schalet, CEO of the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, “Over the last eighteen months, we have helped San Jose Water execute their land stewardship strategy which includes increasing forest health and reducing wildfire risk. The earlier wildfire is detected, the sooner you can act, including alerting customers and the fire service agencies. We are grateful for our partnership with San Jose Water.”

About San Jose Water:

Founded in 1866, San Jose Water is a regulated private utility and one of the largest and most technically sophisticated urban water systems in the United States. The Company serves over one million people in the greater San Jose metropolitan area. San Jose Water is owned by SJW Group, a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ under the symbol SJW. SJW Group also owns: Connecticut Water Company in Connecticut; Maine Water Company in Maine; and SJWTX, Inc. (dba The Texas Water Company) in Texas. To learn more about San Jose Water, visit www.sjwater.com.

About Santa Clara County FireSafe Council:

As a 501 (c)3 nonprofit with a 20-year history, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council’s core mission is to mobilize the people of Santa Clara County to protect their homes, communities, and environment from wildfires. As a trusted partner across the government, fire service, corporate and WUI residential communities, SCCFSC has led some of the most complex hazardous fuel reduction projects in the region. With a board of directors and advisory board that has a deep expertise across the wildfire ecosystem including wildfire and environmental research, academia, emergency management, regional planning, technology products and wildland firefighting executive leadership, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is uniquely positioned to lead cross-sector collaborations, government-private partnership in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County and beyond. For more information, visit www.sccfiresafe.org/



About N5 Sensors, Inc.:

N5 believes that in a world with rapidly changing environmental threats, everyone has access to the right information at the right time to stay safe. N5 has been developing and providing innovative and reliable environmental sensing systems for over 12 years to customers in diverse markets including Defense, Homeland Security and commercial systems. The N5SHIELD™ was designed to meet the needs of communities and fire fighters to protect against devastating wildfires in the Wildland Urban interface and has been deployed in 8 states across the US and in Canada. For more information, please visit www.n5sensors.com.

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Santa Clara County FireSafe Council

14380 Saratoga Ave

Saratoga, CA 95070

Phone: (408) 975-9591

Website: www.sccfiresafe.org/

Media Contact: Seth Schalet