Public Can Now Access Wildfire Monitoring Camera Network Used By Dozens Of Local First Responder And Safety Agencies -07/29/25
The Portland General Electric camera network spots potential wildfires early for enhanced firefighting and safety response
Portland, Ore. (July 29, 2025) - For the first time, anyone can access Portland General Electric’s wildfire camera network, used by emergency management and firefighting agencies, to stay informed about potential fire risks, make timely safety decisions, and continue to collaborate on fire prevention efforts. PGE has opened a public portal to its wildfire monitoring camera network that provides 24/7 visual observation of the landscape in and around Portland.
Public users can search, view and interact with cameras strategically positioned across PGE’s service area. The camera network maintains observation of PGE infrastructure in high fire risk areas as far south as Latgawa Mountain in Jackson County and as far north as Bald Hill near Scappoose.
“Opening public access to the real-time feeds for everyone is one of the ways we can help people plan for and make important decisions during potential emergency situations,” said Ben Felton, PGE executive vice president and chief operating officer. “PGE plans and prepares year-round to prevent wildfires, and this camera network is an important tool in our toolkit.”
The camera network supports wildfire prevention efforts by alerting PGE and public safety partners to potential wildfire ignitions – often advancing response time by hours. More than 215 users from 50 agencies, including fire, emergency management and communications, across PGE’s service area are actively using this network.
“The wildfire monitoring cameras have been a game-changer for wildfire response. They’ve helped us quickly detect and locate fires—like a 2023 lightning start in the Bull Run Watershed—and verify 911 calls during high-demand periods. This technology allows us to respond faster and more accurately,” said Brent Olson, Clackamas Fire District #1 division chief.
Emergency response organizations access an enhanced set of tools through the camera network, combining live visual feeds with additional data streams to improve situational awareness and support wildfire planning and response. For example, when the cameras detect smoke or fire activity, agency users receive notifications with the incident’s location and direct links to live camera feeds and functionality, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.
“Wildfire is a growing concern for the communities we serve around the Forest,” said Gar Abbas, Mt. Hood National Forest acting supervisor. “Using innovative ways to detect and respond to new fire starts is essential – tools like the wildfire monitoring cameras can be key in helping us protect people and the places they care about.”
PGE began installing the cameras in 2021 to better keep communities safe through smoke and fire detection and early alert warnings to first responders. PGE’s network, powered by artificial intelligence, has now grown to almost 40 cameras around Portland and surrounding areas.
The camera network automates fire detection, awareness and notifications through real-time visual intelligence, AI-driven detection, and third-party data streams. This critical information allows PGE and partners to proactively manage wildfire risks and enable a faster response by emergency management agencies. Learn more about the camera network at portlandgeneral.wildfirewatch.com.
About Portland General Electric Company
Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to nearly 950,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index and is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In 2024, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.5 million and volunteered nearly 23,000 hours to more than 480 nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news