You know that working together as a community is the best way to reduce wildfire risk. Today, Douglas County is showing you the County’s aggressive and forward-looking approach to wildfire preparedness, highlighting a suite of new tools including artificial intelligence (AI)-powered early wildfire detection, a Type 2 helicopter, and advanced brush truck capabilities.
“We’re not waiting for disaster to strike before we act,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly. “We’re building a wildfire response system that uses every tool available to protect lives, property, and our natural resources.”
Technology on Display
The County’s Type 2 helicopter, capable of delivering 300 gallons of water per drop, took flight during the event, demonstrating how quickly it can respond to remote or fast-moving fires. The aircraft, secured through a $1.5 million investment by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners in January 2025.
Pano AI, a company providing state-of-the-art wildfire detection powered by AI and real-time camera feeds, which continuously scans the landscape, detecting fires faster than traditional methods and allowing for faster response.
“As the founder and chairman of the Douglas County Wildfire Action Collaborative—a coalition I launched after the Chatridge II Fire came within feet of destroying the Backcountry neighborhood in Highlands Ranch — I know just how close we’ve come to catastrophe,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “That fire was a warning shot, and Douglas County heard it loud and clear. Today, we are leading Colorado in wildfire defense—and are the only county in the state with a dedicated firefighting helicopter and Helitack team on standby 365 days a year.”
Partners in Prevention
Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, and Douglas County’s Office of Emergency Management reinforced the importance of public-private collaboration in managing wildfire risk.
“We are proud to be working hand-in-hand with our utility and technology partners,” said Mike Alexander, Director of the Office of Emergency Management. “Together, we are building the future of wildfire readiness in Colorado.”
“This is what modern wildfire preparedness looks like—public agencies and utilities coming together with cutting-edge technology to protect communities,” said Peter Ambler, Vice President of Global Government Affairs for Pano AI. “We’re proud to support Douglas County with real-time detection tools that help emergency managers act faster and with greater confidence. When early intelligence is shared across agencies and jurisdictions, it strengthens the entire region’s ability to respond before small ignitions become major disasters.”
“Our investment in the Pano AI technology is part of our comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategy to ensure fast and accurate responses and help keep our communities and environment safe,” said Mark Jurgemeyer, CORE’s Chief Operating Officer.
“Public safety is foundational at Xcel Energy, and we understand wildfires pose a significant and evolving risk to our customers and communities,” said Robert Kenney, President of Xcel Energy—Colorado. “We recognize that partnerships are key to mitigating that risk and are pleased to work with our emergency responders in this effort while also deploying the latest AI technology to detect wildfires in their earliest stages. We are committed to continuing this work to keep Colorado safe from the threat of wildfire.”