Support for Cameras

UNR owns all cameras, not just those proposed for Serene Lakes.

The structure is owned by UNR. 

a. Landowner and AlertWildfire

A template Memorandum of Understanding from UNR is provided to Placer County. Placer County and UNR will negotiate final terms.

b. Tahoe Prosperity Center and SLPOA

The Tahoe Prosperity Center agrees to provide contributions from their designated “Serene Lakes camera” funds to UNR to install and maintain Serene Lakes cameras. The Tahoe Prosperity Center can provide a written agreement for SLPOA that the designated “Serene Lakes Camera” fund will only be used for cameras at Serene Lakes.

c. Tahoe Prosperity and AlertWildfire

Tahoe Prosperity Center has an existing Memorandum of Understanding with UNR/AlertWildfire to fundraise for cameras. TPC provides 90% of the funds direct to UNR for camera installation and uses the other 10% for general management of the program, website and staff time spent on cameras. Please note that if we provided the funds directly to UNR, they would charge 30% for overhead.

d. AlertWildfire and SLPOA

There will not be a contract or agreement between AlertWildfire and

SLPOA.

The system has spotted well over 1000 fires without human intervention using artificial intelligence (AI). Cameras have identified fires before humans reported them dozens of times. AI “beats” the 911 reporting of fires. However, this is more complicated than who spots the fire first. There is spotting of a fire and confirming a fire. Many times, there are human reports of fires but there are not actually fires. Having AI/cameras and a 911 call provides a quick double confirmation. And, in our case, with the cameras located near/looking at Serene Lakes, this would greatly benefit our community to know the specifics of the fire in relation to Serene Lakes and prompt the immediate necessary resources. The Serene Lakes cameras would be quickly adjusted to confirm the exact location of the fire. CalFire, Truckee Fire, Sheriff’s Office, and USFS/Tahoe National Forest would quickly know exactly how to resource the fire that is impacting or potentially impacting Serene Lakes. 

Cameras have two modes - patrolling (constantly rotating around 360 degrees looking for changes in the horizon) and fixed (not rotating and constantly focused on one area.) This is done because it is considered the optimal mix for spotting issues. A fixed position, for example, could cover higher risk areas and always be focused. However, the cameras can be changed within minutes from patrolling to fixed or fixed to patrolling. This can be done by those who have special access - security rights to do so. Those who can make these changes are those who are provided rights to do so from UNR and are individuals identified at CalFire, the Sheriff’s Office, Truckee Fire, and USFS/Tahoe National Forest. At the end of the day, when the cameras are installed, Truckee Fire, US Forest Service, and Cal Fire would be the appropriate entities to best determine if the cameras should be in patrol or fixed mode and when they need to be changed. If the Serene Lakes community has a strong preference, it would be considered as we have provided the funds.

Heidi Drum is the Chief Executive Officer for the Tahoe Prosperity Center. She/her team will set up a specific fund - “Serene Lakes Cameras.” For those who have already pledged $130,000, they will be notified to send their contributions to Tahoe Prosperity Center, Serene Lakes Cameras. This same information will be provided to the Serene Lakes community at large. In addition, this information will be shared with those who said they would pledge via the SLPOA survey (summer of 2022). Contributions sent to Tahoe Prosperity Center - Serene Lakes Cameras - will only be used for the installation and annual maintenance fees for the Serene Lakes camera(s). Donors who would like a direct acknowledgement of their contribution to the Serene Lakes cameras will need to provide their name, mailing address, email and details on their donation. TPC will then provide them with an email letter for tax-deductible purposes.

Click Here to see the 10 minute video showing the coverage of the cameras.

CalFire has 140 cameras. When reviewed by CalFire and UNR regarding this section (Year 4 funding to replace cameras from Year 1), this section provides funds, not to replace the cameras, but to make sure the cameras have the most current technology as agreed upon between CalFire and UNR. 

CalFire and PGE (cameras west of Serene Lakes) have moved their cameras from UNR to UCSD (alertCalifornia). All the cameras east of Serene Lakes remain on UNR (alertwildfire) with no plans to move to the UCSD platform. Currently, the Chancellors of the Universities are sorting out the two sites and how they will work going forward. We do not know the reasons behind the switch for PGE and CalFire cameras and we have asked repeatedly.

The proposal is to fund and approve the installation of two cameras at Serene Lakes to enable early detection, and confirmation of a wildfire. One would be placed on Soda Springs Ski Ranch and the other on Rowton Peak (Lola’s Lookout). The cost of purchasing the cameras is already covered. (see Question 2 below) The other issue is to cover the annual maintenance and software fees.

The cost is estimated to be between $30K-$50K per camera, depending on how hard they are to install. Fifty SLPOA members, (30 families) have pledged $130k to cover the costs. The pledges would be coordinated through the Tahoe Property Center (TPC), which is a 501.c3 (tax exempt) nonprofit center. 

University of Nevada, Reno, has a team that maintains the cameras. They will build, install, and maintain cameras at these two sites. 

The annual cost is estimated to be about $25,000 for both, says Dr. Kent, UNR, program manager. Of the $25,000, $17,000 per year is for software. What will vary is the cost of maintenance depending on circumstances, like ice damage on solar panels. His estimates are based on experience with more than 1,000 already installed cameras. 

Basically, we pay an annual “subscription” based on amortizing costs across 1000 cameras.  The costs will include hardware (fix what is broken) and software (Amazon Web Services, AI, etc.). Although Dr. Kent said $4k may not be spent each year, as there may be fewer hardware repairs, he also said that it is more probable that any reduction in costs would be offset by investments into new artificial intelligence features. Some years are tougher winters than others and require more repairs. Based on a typical year and experience, this is the best UNR can do to estimate annual maintenance costs. 

It is proposed that these annual fees be covered by other key stakeholders, such as Measure T, Serene Lakes County Water District and the SLPOA Board would determine its contribution. This could occur through increased dues or through reserves.

The proposal is to channel funding through the Tahoe Prosperity Center, which enables a 30% discount and tax exempt donations. This means there would be no contract. It is considered a gift, which is how 100% of the cameras already in the program have been funded over the past 10 years. There would be a land-use agreement between UNR and Soda Springs Ski Ranch (Placer County) and UNR and Tahoe Donner Land Trust. If we want an actual “contract,” the cost would go up 30% and contracts would be between UNR and whoever owns the land where the cameras are located. The fee structure would not be tax-exempt.

This would require a ballot measure passed by Serene Lakes property owners. This could take a significant amount of time. The District has been educated on our efforts. The plan is to share the camera survey results and ask the Serene Lakes County Water District to contribute. 

We think so, but it will be up to them. There are volunteers to lead efforts to approach the non SLPOA members for contributions. 

Yes, PGE funds the maintenance for its cameras. PGE has designated funds to cover placement of cameras to protect its infrastructure. PG&E has determined that these two cameras are not currently in their plans for funding. 

AlertWildfire is primarily a confirmation and situational awareness tool. That said, discoveries are made all the time with the camera’s AI capabilities. That means the AI spots something (maybe smoke) that makes it think a fire is possible, and triggers an alert on a dashboard at dispatch. Ninety percent of the time, the cameras confirm reports made by people who call 911 or report potential fire activity on Twitter. Cal Fire, US Forest Service and Truckee Fire can remotely move the camera view to either discover or confirm fire ignition.

These proposed cameras will have AI, however, not every camera on Alertwildfire.org does. The paramount benefit of the camera is to be made aware of a fire or a potential fire to better inform emergency fire response teams. Many of the lookout towers that were personally staffed during the summer are no longer staffed because they use this network of cameras instead.

According to Dr Kent, there are blocked views on top of Mt. Lincoln that the two proposed cameras help fix (in terms of coverage). Also, different camera angles help in spotting fires early. Sierra Buttes is too far and the current Alpine Meadows camera views are blocked in the Serene Lakes direction. The two proposed cameras would be specifically positioned for the Serene Lakes community and its single egress route. Also, many times, there can be multiple fire starts and “spotting” so the cameras’ viewing positions are placed to maximize the view. Specially designated personnel with fire fighting agencies can alter the view of the camera remotely when a fire has started per their special security access. Should a fire come up the 80 corridor, the proposed Soda Springs Ski camera would offer an earlier and better view than Sugar Bowl, Alpine or Sierra Butte cameras.

The cameras have two modes, “Guard patrol,” 360 degree coverage, or “Home,” meaning the camera focuses on one view and does not rotate. The mode can be changed by those with secured access, typically fire fighting agencies and UNR. There are trade-offs for each mode, and options can be weighed and determined at the time of installation. For Serene Lakes, Dr. Kent is suggesting that Rowton camera be on guard patrol and the Soda Springs Ski Ranch camera be fixed directly on home mode overlooking Serene Lakes. It may be helpful to have Truckee Fire and other key partners weigh in on this decision. 

Dr. Kent has indicated 20-40 miles a day, twice that at night. But, it depends on the size of the fire. The bigger the fire, the easier it is to see. For example, a 5,000 acre fire might be visible up to 150 miles away at night.

He surveyed Serene Lakes and made his recommendation based on our one point of egress, the terrain, and the size of Serene Lakes.

Please go to the main SLPOA website There is a view from Soda Springs Ski Resort looking down on Serene Lakes and a 360 video from Mt. Rowton.

Click Here to watch the video showing the coverage of the proposed cameras. This 10 minute video from Dr. Graham Kent at the University of Reno is worth watching.

The cameras are not insured. Dr. Kent said the chance of vandalism is extremely low. There are over 1,000 cameras. They have had two “shot up,” one with major vandalism and one more that was stolen.

(See earlier response on distance.)



Dr. Kent reviewed the current cameras on Mt. Lincoln and Signal Hill in light of coverage of Serene Lakes. He confirmed that there are areas that are not covered, such as the headwaters of the American River (Cedars and surrounding areas), and the valley/gorge to Cedars. The benefits of better camera coverage for Serene Lakes is to see more fires quickly and be able to plan a response.

Sugar Bowl is redesigning its entire communications on top of Mt. Lincoln, of which the camera is are part. It is swapping out older equipment and structures for their Sugar Bowl communications - it is a significant scale project. UNR is at their mercy for that camera to be up and running. We anticipate Sugar Bowl ends up with a more resilient communications network that will favorably impact their camera.  We don’t need Mt. Lincoln to get the Serene Lakes system up and running. UNR can provide a more robust network when Mt. Lincoln is operating.  The Mt. Lincoln camera, and Sugar Bowl’s communication system, suffer from high winds and that’s why they’re improving it. It is not estimated that the Serene Lakes’ cameras would face the same wind intensity.

Tahoe Donner Association paid for their camera and also pays for annual software fees. All funds flow through the Tahoe Prosperity Center.

The cameras are not a profit center. Both UNR and Tahoe Prosperity Center are non-profit organizations. The costs for alertwildfire.org are determined in partnership with other key agencies to maintain the program. Please visit alertwildfire.org to view the other partnerships. 

Everybody benefits when wildfires are prevented or immediately detected and contained. If Serene Lakes supports the cameras, we will work with TPC to set up a way for others to contribute to 501.c.3 for the cameras. 

Yes. One example is Sonoma Open Space Conservancy. In the past, land trusts have not wanted cameras on preserved lands. With the ongoing fire threats, some have changed that position.