The Season We Should Leave Behind: A Call to Action for a Safer Future

The notion of four distinct seasons is a widely accepted concept, but what if we told you that some regions experience more? In fact, certain areas have their own unique seasons, like Stick Season, Mud Season, and Smoke Season. Each of these seasons brings its own set of challenges, from the stark brown landscapes of Stick Season to the hazardous air quality of Smoke Season. But what if we told you that we can do better? That instead of accepting these seasons as a given, we can work towards creating a safer, more sustainable future? It's time to rethink our approach to fire prevention and management. For years, The Press has advocated for increased investment in fire prevention measures, including thinning overgrown forests that can turn modest fires into devastating infernos. While progress has been made, it's clear that more needs to be done. That's why a recent opinion piece from the Mountain States Policy Center caught our attention. The piece, penned by researcher Sebastian Griffin, highlights California's use of Artificial Intelligence-trained cameras to detect fires and alert authorities. This technology has the potential to save lives and reduce the devastating impact of wildfires. But Griffin's message goes beyond just the technology – he emphasizes the importance of oversight and transparency in applying AI as a supplement to traditional wildfire prevention approaches. So, what's the takeaway? It's time for states like Washington, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho to take a page from California's playbook and adopt similar technologies and strategies. By doing so, we can create a safer, more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.