In recent years, a program combining innovative technology with on the ground firefighting efforts has helped prevent more than 50 fires.
Known as AlertTahoe, the program consists of a system of networked sensors designed to protect the Lake Tahoe Basin from catastrophic wildfires, earthquake and other natural hazards.
The sensors are cameras installed around the Tahoe Basin, on an independent network that remains connected even during emergencies or outages. These cameras sense smoke or catch wildfires and alert firefighters before the fires spread beyond a containable distance.
"In the past few years, more than 50 fires have been stopped before they reached 1 acre in size," Heidi Hill Drum, Tahoe Prosperity Center CEO, said in a press release.