A group of high school students in San Jose is gaining international attention after developing an artificial intelligence system designed to detect and suppress wildfires within minutes.The team from Valley Christian High School, known as Wildfire Quest, has been named a finalist in the $11 million XPRIZE Wildfire competition. The global contest challenges innovators to create technology capable of detecting and stopping wildfires before they spread out of control.The students’ solution combines artificial intelligence, drones and specialized fire-suppressant devices.Their system uses drones equipped with AI technology to detect a fire quickly. Once a fire is identified, the drone drops fire-retardant balls directly onto the flames. The balls contain a chemical powder designed to extinguish the fire when the fuse activates on impact.Student Joshua Guo said his inspiration came from personal experience after his family was forced to evacuate during a fast-moving wildfire near…..