||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for SJC DEPT. OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |||
Island forests in late summer tell a familiar story: browning maple leaves, dry madrona litter underfoot, and brittle moss. Even with a bit of rain in the forecast, these are the weeks when wildfire risk in San Juan County is at its annual peak. Avoiding activities that could spark a fire is the most important way to keep the islands safe—but it’s equally critical to report any possible fire to 911 immediately. When crews respond to wildland fires, minutes matter.
Thankfully, local responders now have a powerful new detection tool. Since 2023, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has supported a project to rapidly identify wildfire starts across the state. Twentysix remote monitoring stations (with ten more coming) using Pano high-powered cameras to scan for signs of fire around the clock during the summer.
While several mainland cameras can spot fires in the islands, the unit on Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island has proven especially valuable. When the system detects and geolocates a possible fire, human analysts verify, and if confirmed, send an alert to local responders with a link to live imagery and location data.
Orcas Island Fire Chief and former San Juan County Fire Marshal Chad Kimple says the system fills critical gaps: “Nothing replaces people calling 911 to report a fire, but this is a great addition to our toolkit. Fire crews can visualize the smoke before arrival, which aids in building an action plan.”
On July 13, a fire broke out on Lopez Island near Shark Reef. As the first 911 call was being made, the Pano system simultaneously alerted responders.
Lopez Island Fire Chief Adam Bigby noted the benefits: “Initial calls to 911 don’t always have all the information we’d like—location, size, or access. This tool gives us an extra layer of detail so we can find the fire more quickly and understand the scale of the incident before we’re even on scene.”
Screenshots from the Lopez fire are available: view the fire ten minutes after the initial alert HERE, or one hour later HERE, when a large plume of smoke had formed.
The incident required a major response, including two DNR helicopters, DNR fire crews, and assistance from Orcas and San Juan Fire Departments to support Lopez firefighters.
“That fire should be a wakeup call for islanders,” Chief Bigby emphasized. “It was just an average summer day with some wind, and the fire spread incredibly fast. Without helicopter support, it could have been far more destructive. Islanders and visitors really need to avoid activities that can start fires in the summer, especially on windy days.”
San Juan County Emergency Management Director Brendan Cowan agrees: “We’re incredibly grateful for this new system, but we’re just as grateful every time an islander chooses not to be the cause of a fire—skipping the beach fire when it’s windy or not allowed, avoiding fireworks, being careful with tools near dry grass. Late summer requires extra caution until the rains return.”
To explore the Pano system, visit wadnr.wildfirewatch.com/. For information on wildland fire preparedness, visit www.islandsready.org/wildland-fire.
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