IREX introduces AI fire detection that operates on current camera networks.

      [Washington, DC – April 2, 2026] – IREX, a leading organization in ethical AI and intelligent video analytics operating in over 10 countries with more than 300,000 cameras, has announced a significant update to its FireTrack module for smoke and fire detection. This upgrade does not necessitate any new hardware and expands FireTrack’s usability to critical infrastructure including energy facilities and transportation centers, as well as public institutions like schools and hospitals, residential and commercial properties, and parks, including national parks and forests.

      Utilizing IREX's ethical AI platform, the updated module processes visual data in merely 75–105 milliseconds, or about 0.1 second, enabling near-instant identification of threats. This enhancement, along with improved accuracy and robustness in challenging lighting or weather conditions, facilitates prompt intervention by first responders, decreasing the potential for catastrophic damage.

      The revised model tracks the progression of fire and smoke over time, effectively differentiating true threats from benign visuals such as fog, vehicle headlights, or glare. This significantly decreases false alarms, allowing safety teams to concentrate on genuine emergencies.

      To enhance precision, IREX has modified how the system recognizes fire and smoke. Rather than conventional bounding boxes around objects, the updated module employs segmentation, utilizing color masks to highlight the specific areas where fire or smoke is detected: green for fire and red for smoke, thus better capturing their irregular forms. This method improves the system’s ability to accurately pinpoint hazards in the environment.

      Credit: IREX

      The revamped FireTrack provides an early warning system that is substantially quicker than traditional optical or heat-based detectors by analyzing live video feeds in real time for the visual indicators of smoke and fire.

      “Since the IREX AI platform integrates effortlessly with existing camera networks, cities and organizations can enhance fire safety without the need for specialized sensor hardware – by simply connecting their CCTV systems to IREX,” stated Serge Smirnoff, IREX's Head of PR. “Every detection event is accompanied by a video snapshot for immediate visual confirmation, allowing operators and first responders to quickly evaluate the situation and act effectively.”

      By utilizing the current surveillance infrastructure, the new FireTrack model presents an economical solution for comprehensive fire safety in both built environments and natural areas.

      “I am immensely proud of the IREX team today. The launch of FireTrack is a significant milestone that embodies our core mission: to deploy ethical, intelligent AI to address the world's most pressing challenges,” expressed Calvin Yadav, CEO of IREX. “We are enhancing the resilience of communities worldwide, demonstrating that every hour dedicated to developing responsibly designed artificial intelligence is actively saving lives long before an alarm is ever triggered.”