The proposed bill mandates a $7.5 million appropriation to Colorado's Division of Fire Prevention and Control for the 2024-25 fiscal year, with unspent funds extendable to 2025-26. This funding is designated for researching and developing artificial intelligence (AI) applications to enhance wildfire prediction, mitigation, and firefighting efforts. Key AI applications include:
Vegetation and Fuel Classification: Mapping vegetation types and potential wildfire fuels.
Ignition Prediction: Assessing wildfire ignition risks in specific areas after lightning events.
Active Fire Perimeter Mapping: Identifying the boundaries of ongoing wildfires.
Spread Forecasting: Predicting potential spread patterns and areas at risk from active wildfires.
The division is authorized to collaborate with third-party developers specializing in AI wildfire tools and may seek additional funding through gifts, grants, and donations to support these initiatives.
Summary
Wildfire Matters Review Committee. The bill requires the
general assembly to appropriate $7,500,000 to the division of fire prevention and control (division) for state fiscal year 2024-25 and allows any unexpended portion of the appropriation to also be expended in state fiscal year 2025-26. The division is required to use the money to study and develop applications of artificial intelligence that predict, mitigate, or assist in fighting wildfires, including, at a minimum, applications of artificial intelligence which produce data that can be incorporated into maps displaying the following:
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Classification of vegetation and wildfire fuel;
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Predictions regarding the likelihood of wildfire ignition potential in a particular area following observed lightning events;
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The perimeter of an ongoing wildfire; and
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Predictions regarding the locations and area to which an ongoing wildfire may spread.
The division may contract with a third party that has developed
artificial intelligence tools to predict, mitigate, or assist in fighting wildfires. The division is also authorized to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of the bill.
