DougCo tames fiery summer

Context: That's a lot, but the county's unlikely to crack its five busiest wildfire years over the past two decades.

• DCSO handled a 20-year-high 167 wildfires back in 2020.

Caveat: The sheriff's office figures include only unincorporated Douglas County, Castle Pines and Larkspur.

Zoom in: AI-powered cameras have given fire crews an early jump on some potentially dangerous fires.

• Douglas County uses 12 utility-owned Pano AI cameras that scan for smoke. They spotted 12 of the 13 local wildfires where the county's helicopter dropped water this year.

What they're saying: "Pano AI cameras are picking up … active fires that are threatening to become large incidents," Alexander says.

How it works: When the AI flags possible smoke, the county checks the images and can launch its helicopter.

• The chopper can reach many remote fires in about 15 minutes, then find a water source and start making drops.
• Those drops can slow wildfires and buy ground crews time.

Case in point: Pano AI spotted the Penley Fire in late July as it burned steep terrain near Sedalia. It took some responders up to two hours to reach the flames.

• The helicopter made 91 water drops over three days, helping firefighters hold the blaze to 3 acres.
• Alexander says modeling showed the fire could've reached 70 acres.

Still, it's hardly been an easy season. This summer came after one of Colorado's driest winters, with historically low snowpack and widespread drought.

• DCSO imposed Stage 2 fire restrictions, and July brought 31 wildfires — nearly 50% more than the county's 20-year July average.

Yes, but: Monsoon rains eventually arrived and fire activity slowed. Alexander also credits residents with taking restrictions seriously.

What's next: We're not in the clear.

• Conditions — not the calendar — will determine when our wildfire danger fades.