A 17-year-old innovator from Newport Beach saw years of dedication pay off as he deployed his AI-powered early wildfire detection system near Irvine for the first time on February 10.

Ryan Honary, a high school student and founder of SensoRy AI, began developing the system in fifth grade after witnessing the devastation caused by the 2018 Camp Fire, which claimed 85 lives and destroyed over 18,000 structures in Northern California. In collaboration with the City of Irvine and the Orange County Fire Authority, Honary installed the first permanent detector for testing along the Highway 133 corridor between Laguna Beach and Irvine.

“This feels like a dream come true,” Honary said. “Seeing my product in action gives me hope that my network will successfully detect fires early and help save lives, wildlife, and the environment.” His detection system operates through a wireless network equipped with infrared and gas sensors to identify key fire indicators—flames, smoke, and heat. The AI component enhances detection accuracy and minimizes false alarms. Each unit can detect fires up to 1,200 feet away and is designed to identify small flames under four feet high in their early stages. Once a fire is detected, the system instantly alerts firefighters with its exact location and direction via text, email, and a web application.

The testing site was strategically chosen due to its proximity to homes encroaching on flammable vegetation, the presence of high-voltage power lines, and frequent vehicle collisions that have sparked fires in the past. The geography of the Highway 133 corridor also plays a critical role, as it forms “wind funnels” that can intensify fires by rapidly spreading flames through narrow canyons and valleys—similar to recent wildfire outbreaks in Los Angeles County.

“The key to preventing major wildfires is a rapid initial response. If his sensors can notify us of a fire even seconds or minutes earlier, that’s a major win,” said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. “We support any technology that enhances our ability to respond quickly.”

Honary plans to install five additional detectors in March, followed by 25 more by September along the corridor. His system has advanced significantly since its early development, particularly in response to interest following the 2020 Silverado and Blue Ridge fires. Fennessy, impressed by Honary’s progress after reading about his project, became a mentor and connected him with fire behavior experts and resources.

Another AI-based fire detection system in Orange County demonstrated its effectiveness for the first time late last year. In January, the OCFA revealed that the University of California San Diego’s ALERTCalifornia camera network detected an “anomaly” on video footage around 2 a.m. on December 4. This anomaly turned out to be a vegetation fire in Black Star Canyon, east of Irvine Lake—the first local wildfire detected solely by AI. Without the system’s intervention, officials said the fire could have spread significantly before being noticed.

Honary’s efforts have been bolstered by partnerships and funding. In 2021, he teamed up with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a nonprofit managing 50,000 acres of fire-prone land in Orange County. The organization has been instrumental in funding his project, publicly contributing $250,000 for network testing. Additionally, in 2020, Honary received a research grant from the Office of Naval Research, which helped establish his startup, SensoRy AI. The company has since secured multiple rounds of funding for further research and development.

Looking ahead, Honary is committed to refining his technology and expanding its reach beyond California to other states and even internationally.