New Wildfire Detection System Founded By OC Teen Deployed In Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The City of Laguna Beach has deployed a new defensive measure against the threat of wildfires, after partnering with Orange County-based SensoRy AI, a wildfire detection service, this month.

According to city officials, the sensors use on-device AI to catch wildfires at their earliest stage and feeding real-time data straight into the Laguna Beach Fire Department's fire-spread and evacuation planning.

"Every minute matters," Fire Chief Niko King said in a statement. "Leveraging innovative tools like SensoRy AI strengthens our situational awareness and enhances the safety of our community."

The sensors have been installed across the city's high-risk open spaces and canyons, and a pilot unit at Alta Laguna Park overlooking Aliso Woods Canyon.

The detection service SensoRyAI was founded by Irvine teen Ryan Honary while he was still in high school, according to the City of Irvine.

"Last year, the city worked with SensoRy AI and the Orange County Fire Authority to install several test sensors that proved highly effective at detecting wildfire ignitions and providing data on fire risk," the city said in a news release.